Honeyberry Growing Guide

Lonicera caerulea

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Well-drained soil with compost dug in. Soil pH range of 5.0 to 7.0 is preferred.

Position

Honeyberries grow best in locations that receive half a day of sun, preferably in the morning. They grow well in partial shade along a woodland edge.

Frost tolerant

Honeyberries can tolerate cold to -40C (-40F), so they are among the most cold-hardy small fruits you can grow. Cultivars descended from Russian breeding lines bloom and bear earlier than Japanese types, which are often called haskaps. These cold-natured plants seldom produce well in areas where summer temperatures often rise above 30C (85F).

Feeding

Fertilise in late autumn by spreading a 1-inch (2.5 cm) layer of composted manure over the root zones of the plants. Slow-growing plants can be fed again in early summer.

Spacing

Single Plants: 1.50m (4' 11") each way (minimum)
Rows: 1.00m (3' 3") with 3.00m (9' 10") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Plant in spring, just as the plants are emerging from dormancy. Mulch after planting to keep the soil cool and moist. Use wire cages to deter feeding by rabbits.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

Often called edible blue honeysuckle, honeyberries produce fragrant white flowers in spring, at about the time strawberries bloom. Two compatible varieties are needed for good pollination.

Harvesting

Wait until the fruit is blue inside to harvest, because berries picked too soon taste tart. Fully ripe berries have a complex blueberry-raspberry flavor, with a hint of black currant. Honeyberries are easy to freeze, and they are great for making jams or wine.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Honeyberry

Aphids (General)

Slug

Snail