Honeyberry, Haskap, Blue Honeysuckle, Sweetberry Honeysuckle
Lonicera caerulea
🌿 Morphology
🌞 Growing conditions
🌍 Origin and family
🌾 Uses
Warning: Despite the care taken in writing this sheet, it is essential to cross-reference sources before using or consuming any plant. When in doubt, consult a qualified professional
Permaculture uses
Honeyberries are primarily grown for their edible blue berries, which taste like a combination of blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry. They are a good source of antioxidants and vitamin C. Some cultivars are sweeter than others. The shrubs are cold-hardy and relatively pest-resistant, making them suitable for permaculture systems. They can be used in hedgerows or as standalone bushes. 'Aurora', 'Indigo Gem', and 'Borealis' are popular cultivars known for good flavor and productivity.
Permapeople description
Haskap (Lonicera caerulea) is a shrub native to the cold climates of northern Japan, Siberia, and northern North America. It has elongated, oval-shaped leaves and produces edible berries that are typically dark blue in color. The plant can grow up to 6 feet tall and has a spreading habit, making it suitable for use as a ground cover or windbreak.
The plant has bell-shaped flowers that are typically white or yellow in color. It blooms in early spring, providing an important source of nectar for pollinators.
Haskap prefers well-drained, slightly acidic soil and full sun to partial shade. It is hardy and can tolerate cold temperatures, but may need some protection from extreme winds. To cultivate the plant successfully, it is important to water it regularly and provide adequate drainage. Pruning may also be necessary to maintain its shape and encourage berry production.
The berries of Haskap are edible and can be eaten fresh or made into jams, jellies, and other preserves. They are high in antioxidants and have a sweet-tart flavor. After harvest, the berries can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks.
In addition to its value as a food source, Haskap has several other uses. The plant is known to have medicinal properties and has been used to treat a variety of conditions, including colds, flu, and digestive problems. It is also used as a natural fertilizer and as a mulch to improve soil health. Its dense, spreading habit makes it an effective ground cover and windbreak.
Haskap is a valuable plant for wildlife, providing food and shelter for a variety of animals. The berries are a favorite of birds and small mammals, and the dense growth habit of the plant provides a refuge for wildlife. In addition, the plant's early blooming period makes it an important source of nectar for pollinators.
Botanical description
Lonicera caerulea is a deciduous shrub in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae), typically growing to 3-6 feet tall and wide. The leaves are opposite, oblong-lanceolate, and bluish-green. The flowers are small, tubular, yellowish-white, and appear in pairs in the leaf axils in early spring. The fruit is an oblong, dark blue berry covered in a light waxy bloom, ripening in early summer. Several subspecies and varieties exist, varying in fruit size and shape. Lonicera caerulea is native to cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Companion planting
Generally, honeyberries benefit from being planted near other honeyberry cultivars for cross-pollination, which improves fruit set. Avoid planting in overly competitive areas with aggressive root systems. They can be planted with other cold-hardy fruit bushes and ground covers. Specific beneficial companion plants have not been extensively documented.
Propagation methods
Honeyberries can be propagated by softwood cuttings in the late spring or early summer, hardwood cuttings in the late fall or winter, or by seed. However, seed propagation can result in variable offspring. Layering and division are also possible methods.
History and traditions
Honeyberries have a long history of cultivation in Japan and Russia, where they are valued for their early-fruiting characteristics and cold hardiness. In Russia, they are often used in jams, jellies, and wines. In Japan, the berries are known as 'Haskap' and are used in a variety of traditional foods and beverages. Traditional medicinal uses have been reported, but require further investigation.
Usage calendar
Flowering: April-May; Harvesting: June-July; Planting: Spring or Fall; Pruning: Late winter or early spring before new growth begins. The specific timing can vary based on local climate and cultivar.