Carefree Plant Produces More Blueberries Each Year!
Enjoy the ease and satisfaction of growing your very own fruit! It’s easy to imagine
harvesting delicious, healthful blueberries right outside your door with this variety of
blueberry! At just 24" tall, compact Top Hat is perfect for growing in a pot on your
patio. White, late-spring blooms are followed by a mid- to late-summer crop of tasty
1/2" berries. You’ll have plenty of fresh blueberries for pancakes and muffins, eating
fresh, and sharing with friends. Blue-green leaves turn fiery red in autumn. Hardy,
carefree plants. Kit includes one plant, 10" pot with saucer and soil. Ships in a 4" pot. Vaccinium ‘Top Hat’
Zones: 3-8 Light: Full Sun to Partial Shade Height: 24” Width: 20-24" Harvest: Mid to Late Summer
This item ships only in the spring.
If our spring shipping season is closed your order will be shipped the following spring.
Product Details
Botanical Name: Vaccinium x 'Top Hat'
Form: Deciduous woody shrub
Sun Exposure: Partial Shade/Full Sun
Height/Habit: 24" mounding shrub
Spread: 20" - 24"
Spacing: 20 - 24"
Hardiness Zone: Zone 3 - 8 (-30 degrees F)
Foliage Type: Glossy, dark blue-green simple elliptical 1-2" long and half as wide
Flower Form: Urn shaped 1/3" borne in loose axillary clusters
Flower Color: White
Flowering Date: Mid spring
Planting Requirements: Set at the same level it is growing at in the container. Firm well and water thoroughly
Soil Requirements: Acid, humus enriched soil
Growth Rate: Slow once established, which takes approximately 8 - 10 weeks
Unique Characteristics: Developed by Michigan State University , the plant was named for it's neat, very dense growth. This mound shaped shrub is an ideal specimen to be used in place of flowering shrubs in the ornamental landscape plan. This practically maintenance free plant is loaded with white flowers in spring, has glossy blue-green leaves in the summer, and then tops the fall off with fiery red fall color that rivals or exceeds Burning Bush in intensity. The fruit is perfect for fresh eating, jams, or baking. Top Hat also makes a wonderful container patio plant, that will produce fruit and be quite decorative. Also makes an excellent bonsai subject.
My Tophat Blueberry plant started out very well last June ('08) and through the summer. I kept it in my sun-room so it would have a good foundation growth going into the Fall and not be exposed to any outdoor pests or bad weather conditions. For some reason, though, and I still cannot figure out why, it has completely died off.
The plant started to change its leaf color in September, but instead of going into a "fiery red" as was indicated it should, the leaves turned brown and dry and shortly dropped off. I knew had followed all the planting instructions, etc., and inspected the plant everyday for any pests, mold, or anything out of the ordinary that might be the cause, but found nothing. I am not a novice gardener, so this was exasperating not being able to find a cure. I even went so far as to change its soil since blueberries like to be on the acidic side, but that didn't work either. I was heartbroken over this. I love blueberries and was so hoping to have a good initial crop, but...guess it wasn't meant to be. I'm now going to ask for a replacement plant and see if that one will do any better. I'll keep you posted. Here's hoping!
I agree with the previous comment. I bought my plant in May and had the exact same experience. I am now getting a full refund. If I knew another one would work out, I would do it, but I'm not a skilled gardener and don't want a second plant to discourage me even more.
Mine did the same thing. Only I have left it out side through the Winter months. It is still alive it has no leaves but the stems are still moist inside. I am hoping it comes back this spring and I will get fruit. I have had all kinds of berry and I have had no problem growing them but we will see on this one.
i do not have one of these, but i do know that blueberries need a winter rest. they need the cold, and you will notice all the ones who did well in the reviews were allowed to endure some weather. the garage and watering a couple times was the best idea i read.
My blueberry plant produced very little the first year so I wasn't terribly impressed with it. I wrapped the pot in a towel and left it out on my patio later into the winter than I should have and was convinced it was dead. Due to upcoming extreme temps, I moved it indoors to my garage for the rest of the winter 'just in case'. I also watered it once or twice while in the garage but it felt kind of silly since I didn't really think it was still alive. To my surprise, the plant made a full recovery and produced many more blueberries than it had the previous year. The berries were quite good, making me wish I had several more plants just like it. It's looking pretty dead again this year but I'm hoping for a full recovery. If I see signs of life, I'll probably order a few more of these plants this year.
I will have to say that I LOVE my Top Hats! I purchased them 3 years ago and they are in full bloom as I type. I pinched off the blooms the first year and they have produced every year since! I did see to it that plenty of water was given, and it drained properly! Just had to say this, since some seemed to have a problems..... Happy Gardening!
