Elliott Blueberry vs Northern Bayberry - TreeTime.ca

Elliott Blueberry vs Northern Bayberry

Vaccinium corymbosum Elliott

Myrica pensylvanica

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Elliott Blueberry
Northern Bayberry

Elliott Blueberry is a very high yielding, commercial highbush blueberry variety. If you're lucky enough to live in a suitable climate zone, Elliott Blueberry will serve you well. Its medium-size berries mature late in the summer and have a mild flavor. The berries are firm and store well.

While this variety is self-pollinating, we recommend pairing Elliott Blueberry with Blue Crop Blueberry to increase the berry production of both varieties.

Note: Blueberries require very specific soil conditions. They need well-drained soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.0. If the starting pH of your soil is between 5.1 and 6.2 you can lower it by adding sulphur. We recommend against planting blueberries in soil with a starting pH greater than 6.2. Please do your own research before buying any blueberry plants.

Northern Bayberry makes an excellent hedge or feature shrub. It will retain its leaves in warmer climates but drops them in colder areas. They produce blue-grey berries that have a wax coating on them that can be used to make candles or soaps.

In colder hardiness zones the leaves turn an attractive orange to red colour in the fall, making it a striking addition to your landscape.

Northern Bayberry is native to Nova Scotia and tolerates both drought and wet conditions. It is also a nitrogen fixer that tolerates poor soil conditions.

Elliott Blueberry Quick Facts

Northern Bayberry Quick Facts

Zone: 4a
Zone: 3a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: long
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium


Toxicity: Warning: The wax from bayberry fruit is considered toxic and may be carcinogenic.
Fall colour: orange-red
Berries: large clusters of blue berries
Berries: blue-gray
Fruit size: medium
Firmness: firm
Flavor: sweet/tart depending on maturity
Harvest: late summer to early fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Other Names: candlewood, myrique de pennsylvanie, small waxberry, swamp candleberry, tallow bayberry, tallow shrub, tallow tree, tallowshrub