An early ripening southern highbush blueberry. Origin: University of Georgia and USDA-ARS, by D. Scott NeSmith and Arlen Draper. US 158 × TH-157; selected in 1985; tested as TH-471; introduced in 2003. USPP 16,756; 4 July 2006. Tree: moderately vigorous; open, spreading bush habit and narrow crown; flowers in early March in south Georgia and will likely benefit from frost protection (similar to Star); somewhat self-fertile but should be planted with other southern highbush cultivars with similar bloom time for cross-pollination; yield substantially exceeds Georgiagem; estimated chill hour requirement 350 to 450 h; suitable for fresh market; propagates readily from softwood cuttings. Fruit: medium size, 1.2 to 1.4 g; medium blue color; small, dry picking scar; excellent firmness and flavor; ripens with Star, but before Georgiagem and O’Neal; concentrated ripening.
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