Siberian Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea edulis) Fruit Bush 3ltr Pot

About Siberian Honeyberry

Native to Siberia, this edible member of the honeysuckle family is incredibly hardy (down to -40C!) and is a wonderful addition to the ever-growing range of super-fruits. The large elliptical berries are a similar colour and taste to blueberries with a slight after taste of honey. The fruit is very high in antioxidants, loaded with vitamin C and retains flavour and form when frozen. Honeyberries are a versatile fruit as they can be eaten fresh and used in making jams, jellies and even ice-cream! Very hardy, drought resistant and easy to grow with the added advantage of being virtually pest and disease free. Unlike blueberries, does not require acidic soil.

• Self fertile
• Planting Distance 1.5m apart
• Height & Spread 1.8m x 1.5m
• Crops June/ July

The honeyberry is an uncommon flavour to find on the UK dining table, but it is a delicious addition to the kitchen. Tasting much like a cross between blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, but with a slight tartness, the honeyberry is going to be unlike anything you've tasted before. The siberian is a mid season variety that produces fruit in May to June. This fast-growing plant produces a medium sized bush of green ovular leaves that grow on cream-yellow stems. The blue, cylindrical berries hang in clusters from small stems and are sometimes known as ‘edible honeysuckle’. The berries are full of vitamin C and antioxidants which makes them a health option even if baked into a cake. Their distinctive flavour lends itself well to being made into ice cream, milkshakes, or fruit pies. Alternatively, they can be dried and used in a fruit muesli or paired with porridge or yogurt for a tasty breakfast. The sweet smells and attractive flowers of the honeyberry bush are an attractive plant for pollinators and when establish they will attract bees, butterflies and birds into the garden and make the rest of your plants healthier.

How to grow honeyberries

Plant your honeyberries in a well-draining soil in a location that is protected from cold winds and early frosts. Make sure the plant receives full sun throughout the day to get the best out of the fruits. Water well for the first month to help the plant establish itself, then water lightly to keep the soil moist but not wet. Apply a yearly dose of balanced fertilizer in the spring and apply mulch in the winter to help keep the roots protected throughout the winter. You only need to prune the plant for the first three years of its life, after that you only need to prune overcrowded shoots to encourage new growth. To increase fruit yields you can remove the tips of young shoots to encourage more flowering.

When to harvest honeyberries

Fruit is harvested when the berries turn blue with a white bloom. The flesh of under ripe fruit will still be green so you check this too. On average a mature plant will produce about 6 kg of fruit which can be picked by carefully picking the wanted fruit off the stem when needed.

Should I buy a pollination partner for my honeyberry?

If you want to get the best-looking fruit and bigger yields, we recommend buying a pollination partner for your plant. This will keep both plants healthy and give you the best results. It is best to buy a different variety of honeyberry to pair with your plant as this will give you better results.