New Blues on the Block
Like your operation, our variety decisions are driven by market demand and long-term profitability. With annual blueberry consumption in the United States continuing to rise, growers need varieties that help them capture premium market windows, ship confidently, and meet buyer expectations for quality and consistency.
This year, we’ve added two varieties to our catalog, Draper and Aurora, in response to strong industry demand and proven performance for commercial production systems. Both offer distinct advantages for growers focused on fresh market sales, retail programs, and season extension.
Draper
Draper has become a sought-after variety because it combines yield efficiency with exceptional fruit quality. It produces a heavy crop of large and sweet berries during a concentrated ripening period. Berries are sweet, have excellent post-harvest color retention, and superior shelf life, allowing you to ship with confidence.

Draper Characteristics:
Season: mid-season
Size: large
Color: light blue
Aurora
Aurora fills one of the most valuable opportunities in blueberry production: extending the harvest season. Aurora produces an abundant crop of large, firm berries with excellent flavor, but can be tart if not allowed to ripen fully. Aurora provides one of the latest harvests available, extending the fresh market season. In addition to fresh market sales, Aurora is well-suited for U-pick operations looking to maintain visitor traffic and revenue later in the season.

Aurora Characteristics:
Season: very late
Size: large
Color: medium blue
This article is from the March Edition of Growing Forward.