A moderately vigorous bush with a more spreading habit, Blue Belle ™ Honeyberry grows 4-5 ft. in height with equivalent spread. Blue Belle ™ bears good crops of large, roundish, deep blue and tasty berries.
A very hardy and unique small shrub, Honeyberry is a species of Honeysuckle with sweet and tasty fruit. Native to Eastern Siberia, the Russian Far East, and Northern Japan, Honeyberry is valued for its tasty, blueberry-like fruit, its extremely early ripening, often two weeks before strawberries, and its exceptional hardiness, to minus 40 degrees F., or below. Great for fresh eating, juicing, and preserves.
Early Blooming Honeyberry Varieties
From Eastern Rusia and Siberia, these varieties are well adapted to colder regions and tend to be more upright growing. While blooming at the right time for the Mid-West, East Coast and other colder regions, they often bloom to early for good pollination in the Maritime Northwest.
- Latin Name: Lonicera caerulea var. edulis
- Site and Soil: Blue Belle™ Honeyberry likes 1/2 day to full sun in the Pacific Northwest and other cool regions, partial shade in hot regions, and well-drained soil.
- Rootstock Description:
- Pollination Requirements: Two varieties with similar bloom time are needed for cross-pollination.
- Hardiness:Honeyberry is hardy to minus 40° F.
- Bearing Age: 1-2 years after planting.
- Size at Maturity: 4-5 ft. in height
- Bloom Time: March-April
- Ripening Time: May-June
- Yield: 5-10 lbs.
- Pests & Diseases: Honeyberry is not bothered by pests or diseases. To deter birds, use mylar flash tape or cover plants with netting.
- USDA Zone: 3
- Sunset Western Zone: A1-A3; 1-3
- Sunset Northeast Zone: 31-45