Southern Living Blueberry Bush 'Hello Darlin' (3 Gallon)

💙 Blueberry ‘Hello Darlin’ (3 Gallon)
A sweet Southern welcome in berry form—bright, hardy, and full of charm.

Some plants feel like old friends—and ‘Hello Darlin’ is one of them. With its cheery name and dependable harvest, this blueberry bush brings a big helping of joy to any garden, porch, or back fence row. From its plump, flavorful berries to its pretty spring blooms and vibrant fall color, this little darling gives you beauty and bounty—season after season.

Perfect for pie-makers, jam-lovers, and anyone who believes in passing down recipes, ‘Hello Darlin’ is a reminder that the best things in life are sweet, simple, and shared.

🍇 A Berry with a Back Porch Spirit
Developed with the Southern home gardener in mind, ‘Hello Darlin’ is a rabbiteye variety bred for warmer climates, making it tough enough to handle our heat and humidity—and still turn out berries you’d be proud to serve at Sunday supper.

It’s self-fertile, but like any Southern gathering, it’s better with friends—plant it alongside another rabbiteye variety for an even bigger harvest.

💌 What It Stands For
This charming plant stands for hospitality, abundance, and the comfort of home. It’s the kind of plant that brings neighbors together, fills your freezer with goodness, and teaches little hands how to pick ripe fruit one summer morning at a time.

🌞 Where It Grows Best

• Zones: 7–9

• Sunlight: Full sun—at least 6 hours a day to sweeten those berries up right.

• Soil: Loves acidic, well-drained soil. Raised beds, garden rows, or large containers with the right mix will keep it happy.

• Size: Reaches about 4–5 feet tall and wide—compact enough for smaller spaces but generous with its fruit.

🌱 How to Care for ‘Hello Darlin’:

• Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist, especially when fruit is setting. Mulch to keep the roots cool and hold in moisture.

• Fertilizer: Use an acid-loving fertilizer (like for azaleas) in early spring and again after harvest.

• Pruning: Light shaping in late winter helps keep it productive and neat.

• Harvest Time: Mid to late summer—berries are ready when they turn deep blue and slip off with ease.

🌸 Companion Plants for the Berry Patch:
Pair your blueberry bush with friends that like it just as acidic and sunny:

• Azaleas or Camellias – Great bedfellows with shared soil needs.

• Strawberries – A berry bed is better with variety.

• Bee balm or lavender – Attract pollinators for better yields and a garden full of life.

• Ferns or heuchera (Coral Bells) – Lovely companions in nearby shaded areas.

🏡 From Wright’s Market to Your Backyard Basket:
At Wright’s, we believe the best kind of gardening is the kind that fills your table and your heart. ‘Hello Darlin’ is more than a fruit bush—it’s a memory maker. From jam sessions in the kitchen to little ones with berry-stained fingers, this blueberry bush brings a sweet kind of togetherness to every home it’s planted in.

So go ahead—plant it by the fence, near the porch, or in a big ol’ pot on the patio. Just make sure there’s a spot nearby to sit and savor what grows.