Blueberry plant called ‘Millennia’

Abstract

A new and distinct low-chill tetraploid highbush blueberry (Vaccinium) variety of complex hybrid ancestry, based largely on V. corymbosum L. with some genes from V. darrowi. Because of its interspecific hybrid origin, ‘Millennia’ does not correspond exactly to any botanical species, but is closest to Vaccinium corymbosum . It belongs to the commercial class of blueberry called “southern highbush”. Its novelty consists of the following unique combination of features: 1. Produces a vigorous bush that is upright but somewhat spreading. 2. Has high resistance to cane canker ( Botryosphaeria corticis ), medium resistance to phytophthora root rot ( Phytophthora cinnamomi ), and low to medium resistance to stem blight ( Botryosphaeria dothidia ). 3. Flowers and fruits well in areas of central and north Florida where the mean temperature of the coldest month is 57° F. or colder. 4. Ripens its fruit 60 days after flowering in north-central Florida (latitude 29.5). 5. Ripens 80% of its fruit between April 15 and May 10 in north-central Florida. 6. Produces berries that are large, firm, light blue in color, have a good picking scar, and a mild, pleasant, flavor. 7. Propagates readily from softwood cuttings.

I claim:  
     
       1. A new and distinct highbush blueberry plant, substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its semi-upright bush, low chill requirement, large, high-quality fruit and blue fruit color that is lighter than normal for highbush blueberry.