Blueberry Varieties Compared: Legacy, Biloxi, Chandler, Emerald, Pink Lemonade

Blueberry varieties differ quite a bit in chill hour needs, berry size, and flavor, and choosing the right mix can extend your harvest season by weeks. Here's how five popular varieties for Florida gardens compare.

 

Legacy

 

A southern highbush variety with excellent flavor, sweet with a classic wild-blueberry taste, and a semi-evergreen habit that holds its leaves later into winter than many types. It has a moderate chill requirement and performs well across Central Florida, with firm, good-sized berries that store well.

 

Biloxi

 

One of the lowest-chill southern highbush varieties available, Biloxi is a strong choice for South and Central Florida where winters are especially mild. It's known for vigorous growth, early ripening, and sweet, medium-sized berries, making it a popular choice for gardeners who want fruit as early in the season as possible.

 

Chandler

 

Chandler stands out for producing some of the largest blueberries of any variety, often nickel-sized or bigger, with a mild, sweet flavor. It has a longer ripening window than many varieties, meaning individual bushes continue producing over several weeks rather than all at once. It needs a bit more chill than Biloxi, making it best suited to Central and North Florida.

 

Emerald

 

Another southern highbush type bred for low-chill climates, Emerald is a vigorous, high-yielding variety with a more upright growth habit than some types, which can make harvesting easier. Its berries are firm and well-flavored, and the plant's early, heavy bloom typically leads to an early, productive harvest.

 

Pink Lemonade

 

A novelty and ornamental favorite, Pink Lemonade produces berries that ripen to a striking pink rather than the traditional blue, with a flavor similar to standard blueberries, sweet with a mild tang. Beyond the unusual fruit color, the plant offers attractive foliage that adds visual interest to the garden, making it a fun choice to mix in alongside more traditional varieties.

 

Building a Better Harvest

 

Because blueberries benefit from cross-pollination with a second variety, and different varieties ripen at different times, planting two or more of these together, say Biloxi for an early crop and Chandler for a later, large-berried follow-up, extends your total harvest window and generally improves fruit set for all your plants.

 

Browse our full selection of blueberry plants to build a variety lineup suited to your region and your harvest goals.

 

These are all southern highbush varieties bred for Florida's low chill hours; if you're weighing highbush against rabbiteye types, see our comparison guide. For planting, watering, and pruning basics once you've picked a variety, check our blueberry care guide.

Just brought one home? See our guide to your new blueberry plant's first few weeks for hydration, potting, and planting timing.