Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea) care

Honeyberry -- also called haskap -- is *Lonicera caerulea*, a cold-climate member of the honeysuckle family native to Siberia, Manchuria, and Japan. It bears elongated, blue-purple berries that ripen before strawberries in most temperate gardens -- typically in May-early June in zones 5-7. The.

Honeyberry — also called haskap — is Lonicera caerulea, a cold-climate member of the honeysuckle family native to Siberia, Manchuria, and Japan. It bears elongated, blue-purple berries that ripen before strawberries in most temperate gardens — typically in May-early June in zones 5-7. The flavor is variable by cultivar and ranges from mild and sweet to intense blue-purple with raspberry and blueberry notes.

Honeyberry is one of the most cold-hardy fruiting shrubs in cultivation. Per UMN Extension, flowers survive temperatures to approximately 21°F (-6°C), making frost-damage crop failure extremely rare even in late cold snaps that routinely damage other early-blooming fruit.

I don't grow honeyberry at my zone 7a Long Island plot, though its cold hardiness and early fruit make it compelling. This guide is sourced from UMN and University of Saskatchewan research resources.

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Identification

Per UMN Extension, L. caerulea is a small to medium shrub (3-6 feet tall) with opposite, simple, oblong leaves. Flowers are small and tubular, appearing in early spring before most other fruits bloom. Fruit is elongated (like a stretched blueberry), 3/4-1 inch long, blue-black with a slight waxy bloom.

Do not confuse with invasive honeysuckle shrubs (L. tatarica, L. maackii, etc.) — honeyberry is in the same genus but a completely different species with no invasive tendencies. Check the scientific name.