Narrative
Originated by the Fruit Crops Department, University of Florida. Selected in 1970. Fruit: medium-small, round, firm; medium-blue; flavorful with medium-dry small scars; ripens late May early-June; recommended for shipping or local market use. Plant: vigorous; tall, spreading, similar to Tifblue; not self-fertile and should be interplanted with other rabbiteyes for cross-pollinations; some resistance to powdery mildew. Aliceblue has a lower chilling requirement than Bluegem does. - Brooks and Olmo Register of Fruit and Nut Varieties. 1997. ASHS Press p. 174.Interplant with Beckyblue for pollination of the latter. Fruits firm, medium blue, flavorful Developer Wayne Sherman says the name of this cultivar is from a song that he knew as a child in Mississippi:ALICE BLUE GOWN'In my sweet little Alice blue gown,When I first wander'd down into townI was both proud and shy,As I felt ev'ry eye,But in ev'ry shop window I'd primp, passing byThen in a manner of fashion I'd frownAnd the world seemed to smile all around,Till it wilted I wore it,I'll always adore it,My sweet little Alice blue gown.'Aliceblue (early season) was released from Florida in 1978 from an open-pollinated seed lot of 'Beckyblue' (Sherman and Sharpe 1978). 'Aliceblue' was selected for north and central Florida. Plant growth is vigorous, tall, open, and spreading with a small crown. Young plant stems are linber, therefore pruning is required to keep stems strong enough to support a fruit load. With its low chilling requirement of 300 hours and with little delay in flowering in warn weather, it is quite susceptible to early frost. 'Climaz' pollinates it well, but 'Beckyblue' does not. It is no longer recommended in Florida because of fruit set problems Anthesis to 50% ripe fruit is 94 days. Berries are firm, medium to small in size with medium dry , small stem scars. The average age seed number is undetermined. - M.E. Austin, 1994. Rabbiteye Blueberries. Ag Science, Inc. Auburndale, FL. p. 16.
W. B. Sherman and R. H. Sharpe release selected in 1970
Cultivar Synonym= Tested as Fla. A
NAMED FOR= a child' song in Mississippi "Alice Blue Gown"