Blue Velvet Honeyberry™
Blue Velvet Honeyberry™ is distinguished by its compact, spreading form, attractive grayish-green, velvety foliage and its very large, sweet-tart and flavorful, medium-blue berries.
A very hardy and unique small shrub, Blue Velvet™ 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.
- 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: 2-3 ft. in height
- Bloom Time: March
- Ripening Time: 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