Native Blueberry Plants Are More Than Just Tasty

By Phran Novelli

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - They taste great, are really good for you, and blueberries are one of the best of what I call our 'Patriotic Plants' - with white flowers in spring, blue berries in summer and bright red foliage in the fall!

Such pretty shrubs, blueberries are easy to care for because as native plants they already know how to grow around here. I bought some plants last year, although I was a terribly lazy gardener and didn't get them in the ground until January. Some listeners have written to ask how my plants are doing, so I'm pleased to report that both are growing beautifully in their sunny spot.

Only one bloomed this spring - but that isn't so unusual for young shrubs, so I'll see how the other does in future years. And this week, we're harvesting our first berries - about a pint or so - but that amount will multiply greatly as the plant grows in years to come.

So, if you haven't yet, here's a reminder to plant a blueberry bush or three - to enjoy spring, summer, and fall as well as in pies, pancakes and preserves all winter long.