Pink Icing® Blueberry

Pink Icing® Blueberry

Pink Icing® is a compact evergreen blueberry that produces sweet berries in spring to early summer and has attractive pink, blue, and green foliage. It grows best in USDA Zones 5–10.

Planting

• Choose a location with 6–8 hours of full sun.
• Use acidic, well-drained soil (pH 4.5–5.5). Amend with peat moss or pine bark if needed.
• Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and no deeper than the root ball. Set the plant so the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil.
• Backfill, water thoroughly, and apply 2–4 inches of pine bark or pine straw mulch, keeping mulch a few inches away from the stem.

Watering

• Water deeply immediately after planting.
• For the first 2 weeks, water every 2–3 days if there is no rain.
• For the next 2–3 months, water deeply once or twice a week, keeping the soil consistently moist but never soggy.
• Once established, provide about 1–2 inches of water per week, increasing during hot weather or fruit development.

Care

• Fertilize in early spring with a fertilizer formulated for blueberries or other acid-loving plants. Follow the label rates.
• Plant another blueberry variety nearby for improved pollination and larger harvests, although Pink Icing® can produce fruit on its own.
• Prune in late winter to remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Minimal pruning is needed for the first few years.

Container Planting

• Grow in a container at least 18–24 inches wide with drainage holes.
• Use an acidic potting mix designed for blueberries or azaleas.
• Container plants dry out faster, so check soil moisture often and water when the top inch begins to dry.

Harvest

Harvest berries when they are fully blue and detach easily from the stem. Allow berries to remain on the bush a few days after turning blue for the best sweetness.

Pink Icing® Blueberry FAQs

1. Does Pink Icing® Blueberry need another blueberry plant to produce fruit?

Pink Icing® Blueberry is self-pollinating, so it can produce fruit on its own. However, planting it near another blueberry variety that blooms at the same time can increase pollination, resulting in larger harvests and bigger berries.

2. Can I grow Pink Icing® Blueberry in a container?

Yes. Its naturally compact size makes it an excellent choice for decorative containers on patios, balconies, and porches. Container growing also makes it easier to provide the acidic soil blueberries prefer and allows you to move the plant to the best sunny location.

3. When can I harvest the blueberries?

Blueberries are typically ready to harvest in early to mid-summer, depending on your growing zone and local weather. Pick the berries once they develop a rich blue color and come off the stem easily. Fresh blueberries can be enjoyed right away or stored in the refrigerator for later use.

4. What growing conditions does Pink Icing® Blueberry prefer?

Pink Icing® grows best in full sun, although it can tolerate light afternoon shade in warmer climates. It performs best in moist, well-drained, acidic soil and benefits from consistent watering, especially while fruit is developing.

5. Is Pink Icing® Blueberry attractive even when it's not producing fruit?

Absolutely. One of its standout features is its colorful foliage throughout the year. New spring growth emerges in shades of pink, blue, and deep green, while winter brings beautiful iridescent turquoise-blue foliage, making it an ornamental focal point even after the harvest season ends.