Lonicera caerulea – Haskap or Honeyberry seeds

Description

Pack of 15 seeds

Lonicera caerulea, known variously as honeyberry or haskap, is a hardy fruiting honeysuckle producing elongated blue berries with a tangy-sweet flavour somewhere between blueberry, blackcurrant, and kiwi. The fruit is high in antioxidants and ideal for fresh eating, preserves, or freezing. It’s one of the earliest berry crops to ripen, often ready weeks before strawberries.

Plants are small deciduous shrubs reaching 1.5–2 metres high, with soft green leaves and tubular yellowish flowers that appear very early in spring — even in late winter in some climates. They are extremely cold hardy (down to –45°C) and well suited to areas with cold winters and mild summers. Honeyberries thrive in full sun and moist, well-drained, slightly acidic soils, though they tolerate heavier clays and partial shade.

Fruiting from Seed:
Lonicera caerulea requires cross-pollination between genetically distinct individuals. For those growing from seed, expect a mix of traits — including fruit size, flavour, and ripening time. To ensure good fruit set and genetic diversity, grow at least 5–6 seedlings together. Plants typically begin fruiting in 3–4 years.

Cold Stratification & Germination:
Seed requires 2–3 months of cold, moist stratification (1–5°C). After chilling, sow into cool soil (10–18°C). Germination is often slow but reliable given adequate chilling and moisture.

Outdoor Stratification Tip:
Sow seed in trays or deep pots in autumn and place them outdoors in a sheltered, rodent-proof spot. The natural cold over winter will stratify the seeds, and germination should begin with spring warmth.

Pack of 15 seeds