Blueberry plant named ‘Sapphire’

Abstract

A new and distinct low-chill tetraploid highbush blueberry (Vacinnium) variety of complex ancestry, based largely on V. corymbosum L with some genes from V. darrowi Camp. Its novelty consists of the following unique combination of features: 1. Produces a bush that is upright but somewhat spreading. 2. Has a high resistance to cane canker ( Botryosphaeria corticis ), and moderate resistance to stem blight ( Botryosphaeria dothidia ), and to root rot ( Phytophthora cinnamomi ). 3. Flowers and produces abundant new leaves in areas of central and north Florida where the mean temperature of the coldest month is 62 degrees F. or colder. 4. Ripens its fruit 60 days after flowering in central Florida (latitude 27.5N). 5. Ripens 80% of its fruit between April 10 and May 10 in central Florida. 6. Produces fruit that are large, firm, have a good picking scar, with sweet flavor and good texture. 7. Can be propagated asexually by softwood cuttings.

I claim:  
     
       1. A new and distinct highbush blueberry plant, substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its semi-upright bush, very low chill requirement for both flower and leaf buds, and large, high-quality, early-ripening fruit, having the ability to be asexually propagated by softwood cuttings.