Snowchaser Blueberry Plant Information (U.S. Plant Patent 19503)

Quick Facts

A new and distinct low-chill southern highbush (Vaccinium corymbosum) cultivar. Its novelty lies in the following unique combination of features:

1. Has a very low chilling requirement.

2. Has a vigorous bush with a somewhat spreading growth habit.

3. Ripens its berries between April 1 and April 30 in northest Florida.

4. Produces firm berries with a light-blue color and a good picking scar

The invention relates to a new and distinct variety of southern highbush blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum L) hybrid named ‘Snowchaser.’ ‘Snowchaser’ is a southern highbush blueberry clone that is distinguished by its low chilling requirement and by its ability to produce medium-size, firm berries starting in early April and finishing before May 1 when grown in north Florida. Several hundred plants of ‘Snowchaser’ have been propagated by softwood cuttings at Gainesville, Florida, and the resulting plants have all been phenotypically indistinguishable from the original plant. Contrast is made to ‘Star’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10675), an important variety widely planted in Florida and Georgia for early-season blueberry production. The new variety is important because it ripens much earlier than Star.

‘Snowchaser’, when grown in north Florida, is distinguished from all other blueberry plants by the following combination of characteristics: has excellent vigor and very early leafing; ripens 18 days earlier than ‘Star’; produces berries of medium size with good picking scar and firmness.

Snowchaser Blueberry is USA Patent Protected - Unlicensed Propagation is Prohibited by Law