The Blueberry 'Premier' (Vaccinium ashei 'Premier') is often considered the gold standard for home Rabbiteye blueberries. It is famous for its exceptionally large, high-quality fruit and its ability to bloom slightly later than other early varieties, which helps it avoid damage from late-spring "surprise" frosts. Blueberry 'Premier' is a deciduous shrub with an upright growth habit. The plant features glossy green foliage that turns shades of red, orange, and yellow in the fall, providing ornamental interest. In spring, it produces clusters of small, bell-shaped, pink-tinged white flowers, which give way to blueberries in the summer. The berries are medium to large in size, sweet, and flavorful, making them ideal for fresh eating, baking, or preserves.

Plant Care & Characteristics

Light Requirements: Full Sun. Requires 6–8 hours of direct sunlight. While it is highly heat-tolerant, it needs that sun to fuel its heavy fruit production and to develop the sugars that make the berries sweet.

Water Requirements: Moderate. Like all blueberries, it has shallow roots and needs consistent moisture. However, 'Premier' is noted for being slightly more resilient to varying moisture levels than 'Climax,' though it still requires a deep soak at least once a week during the summer.

Drought Resistance: Moderate. It is specifically bred for the hot, humid Southeast and is more drought-tolerant than Northern Highbush varieties. Still, "drought-tolerant" for a blueberry means it survives dry spells better, not that it thrives in them—mulch is still mandatory.

Soil Type: Acidic & Organic. Requires a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. It performs best in sandy or loamy soils. If your soil is not naturally acidic, you can amend it with organic matter such as compost, peat moss, or pine bark mulch to lower the pH and improve soil structure. Regular mulching with organic material around the base of the plant helps retain soil moisture, suppresses weed growth, and maintains acidity levels.

Deer Resistance: Low. Deer will target the foliage and the fruit. Because 'Premier' is a vigorous grower, it can sometimes outpace light browsing, but protection is recommended for young plants.

Pollination: It is not self-fertile and requires a partner. The best partners are 'Austin', 'Climax', or 'Brightwell'. 

Harvest: Expect to harvest in June, typically shortly after or alongside 'Austin' and 'Climax.'

Maintenance: Prune the plant in late winter to early spring before new growth begins. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased branches, as well as thinning out crowded growth to improve airflow and light penetration. Blueberry 'Premier' requires regular watering, especially during the fruiting season, to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Fertilize the plant annually with a balanced fertilizer formulated for acid-loving plants, following the manufacturer's instructions.