Blue Lightning™ Honeyberry – Early Blooming
A very popular variety from the Russian Far East, Blue Lightning ™ honeyberry grows to about 5 ft. in height and bears good crops of sweet-tart, dark blue, flavorful berries.
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 too early for good pollination in the Maritime Northwest.
Latin Name: Lonicera caerulea var. edulis
Site and Soil: 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.
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