Galaxy is a very early-ripening southern highbush blueberry prized for its exceptionally sweet, flavorful fruit. The compact, upright plant produces large, attractive light-blue berries with firm flesh and a small, dry picking scar. Galaxy begins ripening alongside some of the earliest southern highbush varieties. Approximately 40% of the crop may be ready during the first picking, followed by additional berries over the next several weeks. The berries are excellent for eating fresh, adding to breakfast dishes, baking, freezing, and making preserves. Plant Details Plant Type: Deciduous fruiting shrub Blueberry Type: Southern highbush Botanical Name: Vaccinium corymbosum ‘Galaxy’ Mature Size: Approximately 4½–5 feet tall and about 3 feet wide Growth Habit: Compact, vigorous, upright, and space-saving Sun: Full sun for the best flowering and fruit production USDA Zones: Approximately 7–10 Chill Hours: Low-chill variety; a dependable published chill-hour figure is not currently available Bloom Time: Early spring Harvest Time: Very early season Berry Size: Large, generally about 2–2.5 grams per berry Berry Color: Attractive light blue Flavor: Exceptionally sweet with a pleasant blueberry aroma Fruit Quality: Firm berries with a small, dry picking scar Pollination: Self-fruitful, but another early-blooming southern highbush variety may improve pollination and fruit production Soil: Acidic, organic, moist, and very well-drained Preferred Soil pH: Approximately 4.0–5.5 Water: Keep evenly moist during the growing season without leaving the roots waterlogged Spacing: Approximately 3–5 feet apart Landscape Uses: Home orchards, edible landscapes, containers, fruiting hedges, local farms, and U-pick gardens ATTRACTS POLLINATORS: Spring flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators Galaxy’s compact size makes it a good choice for customers with limited space. It can be grown in the ground, incorporated into an edible landscape, or planted in a large container filled with an acidic blueberry-growing mix. Mature plants have reportedly produced approximately eight pounds of berries under favorable growing conditions. Best Pollinator Partners Galaxy is considered self-fruitful, meaning one plant can produce a crop without another variety nearby. However, planting a second early-blooming southern highbush blueberry may improve pollination, berry size, and overall fruit production. Recommended pollination partners from Advanced Nursery Growers’ inventory include: Farthing — strongest recommended match Springhigh — very good early-blooming choice Emerald — good early-blooming choice Pearl — possible pollinator with later bloom Gupton — possible pollinator with later bloom Jewel — possible additional partner Farthing is probably the strongest match because both Farthing and Galaxy flower very early. Springhigh and Emerald may also provide useful early-season bloom overlap.Pearl and Gupton are southern highbush blueberries and can cross-pollinate Galaxy. However, they generally bloom somewhat later, so the amount of overlap may vary depending on winter temperatures and spring weather. During years with a longer flowering season, they may provide better overlap than they do following a quickly warming spring. Jewel may also provide some overlap but would not be my first recommendation. For the most dependable pollination, plant Galaxy near Farthing and at least one additional early-blooming southern highbush variety. North Florida Growing Note Galaxy can be grown in North Florida and the Florida Panhandle, but its very early growth and fruiting season may expose flowers or young berries to late winter and early spring freezes. Plant it in a protected location and be prepared to cover blooming plants when freezing temperatures are expected. Southern highbush blueberries require more careful soil preparation than rabbiteye blueberries. They perform best in acidic soil with excellent drainage and plenty of organic matter. Raised beds, planting mounds, or large containers are helpful where the native soil drains poorly or has a high pH. Amend the planting area with pine bark, pine fines, or peat moss. Apply pine bark mulch around the plant to conserve moisture, control weeds, and protect the shallow root system. Do not add lime around blueberry plants because lime raises the soil pH. Galaxy has also shown resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi, a soilborne organism associated with root rot. However, it should still never be planted where water stands around the roots. Harvesting Note Allow Galaxy berries to become fully blue before harvesting. The fruit becomes sweeter when permitted to remain on the plant for several additional days. Pick regularly during the harvest period and refrigerate the berries soon after picking. Local Pickup and Shipping Available for local pickup at Advanced Nursery Growers in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Limited shipping may be available for select smaller plants. Please contact us before placing an order that will require shipping so we can confirm availability, plant size, and shipping cost. Wholesale Availability Wholesale pricing may be available for qualifying quantities. Please contact us for current plant sizes, availability, and wholesale information. Advanced Nursery Growers1911 McLeod RoadDeFuniak Springs, FL 32435Call: 850-391-2228Email: [email protected]
