- **Type**: Evergreen tree or large shrub

- **Height**: 20 to 40 feet (6 to 12 meters), can be kept smaller with pruning

- **Width**: 15 to 30 feet (4.5 to 9 meters)

- **Growth Habit**: Upright, oval to pyramidal shape, dense canopy

- **Foliage**:

- Glossy, dark green leaves, 2 to 3 inches long (5 to 7.5 cm)

- New growth emerges bronze or reddish, maturing to green

- Leathery texture, elliptical shape

- Evergreen, providing year-round coverage

- **Flowers**:

- Small, fragrant, white blooms with fringed petals

- About 0.25 to 0.5 inches (6 to 13 mm) across

- Appear in clusters in late spring to early summer (May to June)

- Attract bees and other pollinators

- **Fruit**:

- Small, dark blue to black berries, 0.5 inches (13 mm) in diameter

- Ripen in late summer to fall (August to October)

- Edible but tart; often enjoyed by birds

- **Light**: Full sun to partial shade (best growth and fruiting in full sun)

- **Soil**:

- Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5 to 7.0)

- Tolerates sandy or loamy conditions

- **Watering**: Moderate; keep moist during establishment, drought-tolerant once mature

- **Hardiness**: USDA Zones 8 to 11 (down to 10°F or -12°C; needs protection in colder climates)

- **Wildlife**: Attracts birds (berries) and pollinators (flowers); moderately deer-resistant

- **Care**:

- Prune to shape or maintain size, ideally in late winter or early spring

- Fertilize with a balanced mix (e.g., 10-10-10) in spring

- Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds

- **Pests/Diseases**:

- Generally pest-resistant but may see scale, aphids, or spider mites

- Susceptible to root rot in overly wet conditions

- **Uses**: Specimen tree, hedge, screen, street tree, or large container plant

- **Growth Rate**: Moderate (12 to 24 inches per year under good conditions)

The Japanese Blueberry’s lush foliage, colorful new growth, and blueberry-like fruit make it a standout for ornamental landscapes.