Nissan: Birkat ha'ilanot on orlah blueberry blossoms
Question
I have blueberries growing in a planter in my garden. Last year, I was told I need to count orlah years for it, which seems to make it a tree. If it has flowers, can I count it as one of the trees for birkat ha'ilanot?
Answer
Indeed, since blueberry bushes are woody perennials, they are halachically considered trees ("bush" is not a halachic category).
Technically, you can say birkat ha'ilanot on a blooming blueberry bush.
However, during orlah years, the common practice is not to do so, since we can’t benefit from the fruit that will develop from its flowers.
After all, the berachah ends "to benefit humans," and orlah fruit is forbidden for benefit.
This assumes your bush is still in its orlah years—you didn’t specify when you planted it.
Note: Some authorities do allow saying the berachah on orlah trees.
Bottom line: Lechatchilah, it's best to find a different, non-orlah tree for your berachah until its orlah years are over.
Here's our orlah year calculator to help you determine when that will be>>
For a compilation of halachot and customs related to birkat ha'ilanot>>