Blueberry Duke

Duke is one of the finest early-season blueberries available and is prized by home gardeners and commercial growers alike for its consistently large, high-quality fruit. It ripens at a similar time to Reka, making the two an excellent pairing for an extended early harvest.

The berries are large, firm, and a lovely bright blue with a light waxy bloom. The flavour is notably mild and sweet — less tart than some varieties — which makes Duke particularly popular with children and those who prefer a gentler blueberry taste. The fruit clusters are large and the berries ripen relatively evenly, so picking is quick and rewarding.

Duke is a compact to medium-sized bush that fits well into smaller gardens, and it has a reputation for reliability and consistent heavy cropping year after year. It also has good cold hardiness and performs exceptionally well in cooler New Zealand regions. Plant Duke alongside Reka or Bluecrop to maximise pollination and fill your bowls from early in the season.