How to Grow Lowbush Blueberry 'Darrow'

Lowbush Blueberry 'Darrow'

Vaccinium angustifolium 'Darrow'

shrub

Darrow is a highbush-lowbush hybrid blueberry cultivar known for its exceptional cold hardiness and compact growth habit, reaching 3-4 feet tall. It produces abundant medium-sized, flavorful berries with a sweet-tart profile and exceptional flavor ratings. This variety is prized for northern gardens and home landscapes, offering reliable yields even in harsh winters.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily; partial shade tolerated but reduces berry yield

💧

Water: Consistent moisture; 1-2 inches per week. Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in winter dormancy.

📏

Spacing: 24 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 3-4 years for significant production; full bearing by year 5-6

🌱

Planting depth: Plant with root ball at or slightly above soil surface; do not bury crown

Soil

Type: Well-draining, acidic, sandy loam with high organic matter content

pH: 4.5-5.5

Amendments:

Peat moss (25-30% by volume) Sulfur (if pH above 5.5) Compost or aged pine bark Pine needle mulch

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 2-7; exceptional cold hardiness makes it ideal for northern climates

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a

Growth Stages

Establishment

Year 1-2

Young plants develop root system and establish basal branch structure. Growth is moderate.

Water regularly, apply 2-3 inches of pine needle mulch, avoid heavy pruning, protect from wind stress

Vegetative Growth

Year 2-3

Plant expands branch framework and foliage density. Some flower buds may form but are typically removed.

Maintain consistent moisture, thin weak or crossing canes, remove early flower buds to encourage root establishment, fertilize with acid-forming fertilizer

Flowering

4-6 weeks in spring (April-May depending on zone)

Small, bell-shaped white or pale pink flowers appear in spring clusters along branches.

Ensure adequate moisture during bloom, allow pollinating insects access, avoid frost damage if late freezes occur, do not apply herbicides near blooms

Fruiting

6-8 weeks (June-August depending on zone)

Berries develop from fertilized flowers, progressing from small green berries to mature blue with characteristic bloom coating.

Maintain consistent watering to prevent cracking, thin berries if cluster-crowded for larger individual berries, monitor for bird and pest damage, avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer

Dormancy

October-March

Foliage turns burgundy-red in fall, leaves drop, plant enters winter dormancy with exposed buds on branches.

Reduce watering, apply winter mulch in zones 2-4, prune dormant canes (late winter), ensure good drainage to prevent ice damage, no fertilizing

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Lingonberry Cranberry Azalea Rhododendron Sheep laurel Bayberry Eastern redcedar

Avoid planting near:

Black walnut (produces juglone toxin) Plants requiring alkaline soil Shallow-rooted plants competing for moisture

Common Pests

Yellow sticky traps in summer, sanitation of fallen fruit, release of parasitic wasps, spinosad spray in late July-August
Remove infected buds and berries, timing of spinosad application at petal fall stage, maintain plant vigor
Rake and destroy mummified berries in spring, improve air circulation through pruning, copper fungicide at bloom time in wet springs
Strong water spray, miticide application if severe, avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization
Bird netting over plants during fruiting, reflective tape, fake predators, noise devices

Uses

🍳

Fresh berries and baking

Culinary

Darrow berries excel as fresh table fruit with excellent flavor and sugar content, and perform well in pies, muffins, jams, and preserves. Their consistent ripening makes them ideal for batch processing. [source]

💊

Antioxidant and eye health benefits

Medicinal

Blueberries are renowned for exceptionally high anthocyanin and polyphenol content linked to improved vision, circulation, and cognitive function. Regular consumption may reduce inflammation and support cardiovascular health. [source]

🦋

Wildlife food source

Wildlife

Provides abundant, nutritious berries for migratory birds, grouse, bears, and other wildlife during critical late-summer feeding periods. Contributes to diverse ecosystem support. [source]

🏠

Ornamental landscape plant

Household

Compact size and attractive white spring flowers followed by blue berries and burgundy-red fall foliage make it valuable for border planting, rock gardens, and foundation landscapes. No toxic components to humans or pets. [source]

🎨

Natural food coloring

Craft

Berry juice and mashed berries produce vibrant blue-purple dyes suitable for natural fabric dyeing, food coloring, and art projects. Color is relatively stable compared to other plant sources. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Berries ripen unevenly over 3-4 weeks; pick when fully blue (not red) and slightly soft, indicating peak sugar content. Gentle hand-picking or light shaking onto cloth. Do not wash until immediately before eating as white bloom protects freshness. Store unwashed in refrigerator up to 3 weeks.

Fun Facts

🌱 Darrow was developed through a breeding program specifically to combine the extreme cold hardiness of wild lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium) with the larger berry size and productivity of highbush varieties, making it possible to grow high-quality blueberries in USDA zones 2-3.
🌱 Blueberries require cross-pollination with another blueberry variety for optimal berry set; planting at least two compatible varieties increases yield by 25-50%, and Darrow pairs well with other cold-hardy cultivars like Bluecrop or Duke.
🌱 The distinctive white waxy coating on ripe blueberries, called bloom, is a natural pruning compound that reduces water loss and protects against microbial infection; washing berries removes this protective layer and reduces shelf life.

Want personalized planting timelines?

Get started free