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Early blueberry

Vaccinium ovalifolium

Last reviewed: October 2026

Early blueberry (Vaccinium ovalifolium) is a perennial shrub native to ID, MI, OR, SD and 1 more states. It blooms in April, May, and June. The flowers draw bumble bees and bees.

Early blueberry (Vaccinium ovalifolium)
Photo: (c) Gabriel Campbell-Martinez, some rights reserved (CC BY)

Toxicity unknown

Early blueberry (Vaccinium ovalifolium) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part shade

Water

medium

Size

24"–96" H × 24"–60" W

Bloom

Apr, May, Jun

Native to

ID, MI, OR, SD and 1 more states

Pollinators

bumble bees, bees

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast RangePuget LowlandNorthwestern Forested Mountains

Upright, arching deciduous shrub with oval blue-green leaves that turn red in fall and small pink to white urn-shaped flowers in spring, followed by edible blue berries. Grows in moist coniferous forest understories and along stream banks.

Growing Early blueberry

Grow Early blueberry in part shade and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 96 inches tall and spread 24 to 60 inches wide.

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Wildlife value

Berries are an important food source for birds and mammals, and the spring flowers are pollinated primarily by bumble bees.

Common questions

How much sun does Early blueberry need?
Early blueberry grows best in part shade conditions.
When does Early blueberry bloom?
Early blueberry blooms in April, May, and June.
Where is Early blueberry native?
Early blueberry (Vaccinium ovalifolium) is native to ID, MI, OR, SD and 1 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Early blueberry attract?
Early blueberry draws bumble bees and bees.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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