Lonicera caerulea – Haskap or Honeyberry seeds

Additional Info

A primer on growing and caring for Honeyberries:

Cold stratifying seeds using the paper towel method:

Articles:

Growing and caring for Honeyberries – an article

Studies:

Health Properties and Composition of Honeysuckle Berry Lonicera caerulea L. An Update on Recent Studies

Description

Pack of 15 seeds

This is, without a doubt, hands down, the most popular seed I sell.  And I understand the intrigue.  Besides being an attractive, compact, productive shrub that produces what’s sure to be called “the next super-fruit” when it finally breaks into the mainstream, it’s also well suited to the colder regions here and is another that produces a berry that’s as good fresh off the bush as it is processed into jams, jellies, wines, etc.

While the flavour will be different in your seed grown Honeyberries, a pretty common suggestion is that they’re a tangy-sweet flavour somewhere between blueberry, blackcurrant, and kiwi.  It’s also one of the earliest berry crops to ripen, often ready weeks before strawberries.

The technical bits – 

Haskaps 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 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. When 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