Honeyberry
Lonicera caerulea
The Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea), also known as Blue Honeysuckle, Haskap, or Honeyberry Honeysuckle, is a deciduous shrub in the family Caprifoliaceae prized for its early-ripening, nutrient-dense edible berries. Unlike most fruit crops, honeyberries are among the very first fruits to ripen in spring — often weeks before strawberries — making them a highly valued addition to temperate and cold-climate gardens.
• Despite the common name, honeyberries are not related to true honeysuckle (ornamental Lonicera species) in terms of edibility — the fruit is the primary attraction
• The berries are elongated, cylindrical to oblong, typically 1–2.5 cm long, with a distinctive deep blue-purple skin coated in a waxy bloom
• Flavor is complex and often described as a blend of blueberry, raspberry, and black currant with mild tartness
• The species has been cultivated for centuries in Japan (Hokkaido), Russia, and parts of northern Europe, but has only recently gained broader commercial attention in North America and the UK
• Wild populations occur across boreal and subarctic zones from Siberia and northern Japan (Hokkaido) through northern China, Korea, and across to Scandinavia, Canada, and parts of the northern United States
• The species thrives at latitudes as far north as 60–70°N, making it one of the most cold-hardy fruit-bearing shrubs known
• Indigenous peoples of Siberia, Hokkaido (the Ainu people), and northern Canada have harvested wild honeyberries for centuries as a traditional food source
• Systematic breeding programs began in the Soviet Union in the mid-20th century, with significant work later carried out in Hokkaido (Japan), Saskatchewan (Canada), and Oregon (USA)
• The name "Haskap" derives from the Ainu language of Hokkaido, meaning "berry of long life and good vision"
Stems & Bark:
• Young stems are greenish-brown, becoming grey-brown and slightly shredding with age
• Branches are opposite, as is characteristic of the Caprifoliaceae family
Leaves:
• Opposite, simple, oval to oblong (3–8 cm long, 1–3 cm wide)
• Margins entire; surfaces slightly pubescent when young, becoming glabrous with age
• Color is dull to medium green above, paler beneath
Flowers:
• Appear in early spring (often March–April), among the first flowers to bloom
• Paired, tubular, yellowish-white, approximately 12–16 mm long
• Produced in pairs from leaf axils
• Self-incompatible — cross-pollination between two or more genetically distinct cultivars is required for fruit set
• Tolerate light frosts during bloom, a critical adaptation to early flowering
Fruit:
• Berry-like drupe, elongated-cylindrical, 1–2.5 cm long and ~1 cm diameter
• Deep blue to dark purple-blue when ripe, often with a whitish waxy bloom
• Skin is thin; flesh is juicy, purplish-red throughout (unlike blueberries, which have pale flesh)
• Contains numerous small, soft seeds distributed throughout the flesh
• Ripens 2–3 weeks before strawberries in most climates
• Commonly found along stream banks, in moist woodlands, peatlands, and bog margins in the wild
• Prefers consistently moist but well-drained soils; tolerates periodic flooding better than many fruit crops
• Extremely cold-hardy — dormant wood can survive temperatures as low as −45°C to −47°C (USDA Hardiness Zones 1–4)
• Flowers are pollinated primarily by bumblebees (Bombus spp.) and other early-spring pollinators
• Berries are an important food source for birds and small mammals in native habitats
• The species is shade-tolerant in the wild but produces significantly more fruit in full sun
• Very high in anthocyanins — particularly cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G), the pigment responsible for the deep blue-purple color
• Anthocyanin content is reported to be 2–3 times higher than that of blueberries on a fresh-weight basis
• Rich in vitamin C (ascorbic acid) — levels reported at 20–80 mg per 100 g fresh weight depending on cultivar
• Good source of dietary fiber, potassium, and phenolic acids (including chlorogenic acid)
• Contains organic acids (citric and malic acid) contributing to the characteristic tartness
• Total antioxidant capacity (ORAC values) is among the highest of commonly consumed berries
• Many other species in the genus Lonicera (ornamental honeysuckles) produce toxic berries — proper identification is essential
• The leaves and stems of Lonicera caerulea are not considered edible
• As with any berry, individuals with sensitivities to salicylates or other plant compounds should exercise caution
Light:
• Full sun (6+ hours direct sunlight) for maximum fruit production
• Tolerates partial shade but with reduced yields
Soil:
• Prefers moist, well-drained, loamy soils rich in organic matter
• Optimal pH range: 5.5–7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
• Tolerates heavier clay soils better than blueberries, provided drainage is adequate
Watering:
• Consistent moisture is important, especially during fruit development
• Mulching recommended to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds
Temperature:
• Among the hardiest of all fruit crops — USDA Zones 1–4
• Requires a winter chilling period (temperatures below 7°C) to break dormancy and set fruit
• Not well-suited to warm climates; struggles in areas with hot, humid summers (Zones 7+)
Pollination:
• Self-incompatible — at least two different cultivars must be planted for cross-pollination
• Planting multiple cultivars also extends the harvest window
Propagation:
• Softwood cuttings (summer), hardwood cuttings (winter), or tissue culture
• Seed propagation is possible but results in high genetic variability; not recommended for maintaining cultivar traits
Common Problems:
• Generally very low pest and disease pressure compared to other fruit crops
• Powdery mildew can occur in humid conditions
• Birds are the primary pest — netting is often necessary to protect ripening fruit
• Sunscald of fruit can occur in unusually hot weather
Fresh Eating:
• Eaten fresh as a snack or added to fruit salads
• Flavor improves after a few days of cold storage post-harvest
Processed Products:
• Excellent for jams, jellies, and preserves due to high pectin and anthocyanin content
• Used in juices, smoothies, and wine production (particularly in Japan and Eastern Europe)
• Frozen berries retain color and nutritional value well
• Used in baked goods, sauces, and syrups
Commercial & Research Interest:
• Growing commercial production in Canada, Scotland, Eastern Europe, and parts of the northern USA
• Studied extensively for nutraceutical and functional food applications due to high antioxidant content
• Interest in honeyberry extracts for potential anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, and neuroprotective properties (preliminary research)
Fun Fact
The honeyberry's extreme cold hardiness is nothing short of remarkable — it can survive and fruit in regions where winter temperatures plunge below −45°C, making it one of the only fruit crops that can be grown commercially in the coldest inhabited regions of Siberia and northern Canada. The Ainu people of Hokkaido, Japan, have long revered the berry and called it "Haskap," which translates roughly to "the berry of long life and good vision." Ainu folklore held that the berry's extraordinary vitality — thriving where almost nothing else could grow — was transferred to those who ate it. Honeyberries ripen so early that in many northern climates, they are the very first "fruit" of the year, often ready to pick in late May to mid-June — weeks before strawberries and months before blueberries. This makes them an invaluable early-season food source for both wildlife and humans. Unlike blueberries, which have pale green or white flesh, honeyberry flesh is a deep reddish-purple throughout, meaning the antioxidant-rich pigments permeate the entire berry. This is why honeyberry juice stains everything it touches — hands, clothes, countertops — with an almost indelible purple hue. The self-incompatibility of honeyberries means that a single plant cannot pollinate itself. In commercial orchards, growers must carefully select compatible cultivar pairs and ensure that bumblebees and other pollinators are active during the early-spring bloom period — sometimes when snow is still on the ground.
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