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Taste Profile
Premier offers a good, balanced rabbiteye flavor with large berry size and a vigorous, productive plant, making it a popular commercial choice similar in profile to Brightwell and Climax. Its flavor is solid without being particularly distinctive.
History of Premier Blueberries
Premier was developed by the University of Georgia's rabbiteye breeding program and released in 1978, part of the same wave of significant rabbiteye releases that included Brightwell and Climax, aimed at giving Southern growers a range of good, reliable rabbiteye options with staggered ripening times. Premier became known specifically for its large berry size among rabbiteye varieties, which tend to run smaller than highbush types overall.
Season and Availability
Premier ripens early in the season for a rabbiteye variety, typically in late May into early June, similar general timing to Climax and Brightwell, giving growers several good early rabbiteye options to choose from.
Nutritional Value
A cup of Premier blueberries provides nutrition consistent with blueberries broadly, roughly 84 calories, 21 grams of carbohydrates, and 3.6 grams of fiber, along with the anthocyanin antioxidants found across the blueberry family regardless of species or variety.
Best Uses for Premier Blueberries
Premier's large berries and good balanced flavor make it suitable for fresh eating and general kitchen use, with its bigger size making it a nice option for fresh fruit displays among rabbiteye varieties, which otherwise tend to run smaller than highbush berries. It performs reasonably well in baking too.
Where Premier Blueberries Are Grown Today
Premier is grown throughout Georgia and other Southeastern rabbiteye-growing states, valued for its vigorous, productive growth habit and notably large berries for a rabbiteye type. Like other rabbiteye varieties, it requires cross-pollination from a different rabbiteye cultivar and tolerates Southern heat and soil conditions well, including the sandy, well-drained soils common throughout its core growing region.
How Premier Compares to Other Blueberry Varieties
Premier's larger berry size sets it apart from Brightwell and Climax, its rough contemporaries from the same University of Georgia breeding program, though all three share broadly similar early-season timing and balanced flavor profiles. Among rabbiteye varieties generally, Premier is often chosen specifically when berry size is a priority.
Pollination Needs for Premier
Unlike most highbush blueberries, rabbiteye varieties including Premier genuinely require cross-pollination from a different rabbiteye variety to produce good yields — self-pollination alone typically results in small, sparse crops rather than a full harvest. Growers commonly pair Premier with another rabbiteye variety that blooms around the same time specifically to ensure reliable pollination, which is why rabbiteye plantings are almost always established with at least two compatible varieties rather than a single one.
How to Choose and Store Premier Blueberries
Choose Premier blueberries that are plump and firm with a visible natural bloom, avoiding any that look shriveled or show soft spots. Store them unwashed in the refrigerator, where they'll keep for 1 to 2 weeks, and rinse only right before eating. For a full breakdown of blueberry storage, see our guide on how to store fresh picked blueberries, and if you're ever unsure whether blueberries have gone bad, check our guide on how to tell if blueberries are bad.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Premier blueberry taste like?
Premier has good, balanced rabbiteye flavor, similar in profile to Brightwell and Climax, with notably large berries for a rabbiteye variety.
When is Premier blueberry season?
Premier ripens early for a rabbiteye variety, typically in late May into early June.
Where did the Premier blueberry come from?
Premier was developed by the University of Georgia's rabbiteye breeding program and released in 1978.
Why is Premier notable among rabbiteye varieties?
It's known for producing notably large berries compared to most other rabbiteye types, which generally run smaller than highbush blueberries.
Does Premier need a second variety for pollination?
Yes, like most rabbiteye blueberries it requires cross-pollination from a different rabbiteye cultivar.
Where is Premier grown today?
Premier is grown throughout Georgia and other Southeastern rabbiteye-growing states.
How many Premier bushes should I plant?
At least two, since Premier is a rabbiteye variety that requires cross-pollination from a different rabbiteye variety to produce a good crop.
Is Premier a good choice for home gardeners?
Yes, though home gardeners should plan to plant it alongside a second rabbiteye variety for pollination, and should have space for the relatively large, vigorous bushes typical of the species.
What type of blueberry is Premier?
Premier is a rabbiteye blueberry, a distinct species native to the Southeastern United States, named for the pinkish, eye-like appearance of the berries before they fully ripen to blue. Rabbiteye blueberries are generally more heat-tolerant and more adaptable to a range of soil conditions than highbush types, but nearly all rabbiteye varieties, including Premier, require a second rabbiteye variety nearby for cross-pollination.
Can Premier be grown in a container?
It's possible but not ideal — rabbiteye varieties like Premier tend to grow into large, vigorous bushes better suited to open ground than container life.