• There are blueberry varieties that grow well in the southern U.S.Canadian blueberry image by Milan Kincl from Fotolia.com
  
  Blueberries are one of the most popular types of berries in the United States and has more than 450 cultivars worldwide, according to the Colorado State University Extension website. Lowbush varieties grow wild in the northern regions of the United States, while several highbush varieties are native to the south. Rabbiteye is the most commonly grown type. All blueberries require an acidic soil with a pH between 4.8 and 5.4, according to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
  
  

Rabbiteye

• Rabbiteye (Vaccinium ashei) blueberry is native to the southeastern United States, according to the Alabama Cooperative Extension website, and grows wild throughout Alabama, southern Georgia and northern Florida. Rabbiteye tolerates drought and summer heat and is the most pest and disease-resistant variety, according to Clemson University. It requires a pollinator, so plant two varieties for a reliable yield. Rabbiteye blueberries mature at different times, so gardeners should plant several varieties for an early, midseason and late-season harvest. Recommended early varieties include Climax, Brightwell and Beckyblue, according to the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Midseason varieties include Tifblue and Powderblue. Try Baldwin, Centurion and Choice for late-season harvests.
  
  

Northern Highbush

• The Northern highbush blueberry (V. corymbosum) is the most commonly cultivated blueberry in the United States and produces superior fruit. It requires cold winter temperatures, though, and grows in the northern areas of Arkansas to elevated areas as far south as Alabama. Like all blueberries Northern highbush varieties thrive in acidic, well-drained soil and full sun. Because this variety is infrequently grown in the south, seek advice from a local county extension office for varieties that grow well in your area. )
  
  

Southern Highbush

• Southern highbush is a hybrid of the rabbiteye and northern highbush varieties. It is suitable for areas as far north as Arkansas and as far south as interstate freeway 20, according to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Of the three varieties grown in the south, Southern highbush is the most drought and heat-tolerant, according to Clemson University. Ozarkblue is a patented variety released in 1996. It produces prolific, sweet berries with yields as high as 15 pounds. per plant. It matures one week earlier than the rabbiteye varieties, but blooms later. Summit Southern highbush is a non-patented variety released in 1998. It produces 8 to 10 pounds. of fruit per plant. In testing, both varieties produced crops consistently even when rabbiteye crops were lost to frost. Southern highbush is self-pollinating, but produces larger fruit if a pollinator plant is grown.