Honeyberry Opioła Jerzy (Poland) / CC BY 2.5
garden

Honeyberry

Overview

Also called haskap, honeyberry is an extremely cold-hardy honeysuckle relative that produces elongated blue berries with a complex flavor blending blueberry, raspberry, and plum. Some varieties can survive temperatures as low as -55°F, making them the ultimate cold-climate berry crop. Honeyberries are among the earliest fruits to ripen in spring, often weeks before strawberries.

Companion Planting & Soil

Good Companions

BlueberryCurrantCloverComfrey
Soil pH5.5 — 7.5
Soil TypeMoist, well-drained, fertile soil; adaptable

Planting Calendar

When to sow, transplant, and harvest by growing zone.

ZoneActionMonthsNotes
Cold (1-2) Transplant Apr — May Plant bare-root in spring; hardy to zone 2; needs 2 varieties for pollination
Cold (1-2) Harvest Jun — Jul Harvest when berries are fully blue and easily detach; taste test — unripe is bitter
Cold (1-2) Prune Mar — Apr Prune while dormant; thin crowded branches; no heavy pruning first 3 years
Cool (3-4) Transplant Mar — Apr Plant in early spring; one of the first fruits to ripen
Cool (3-4) Harvest May — Jun Among the earliest fruit to ripen; harvest when fully colored
Cool (3-4) Prune Feb — Mar Light pruning for shape; remove crossing branches
Moderate (5-7) Transplant Feb — Mar Plant in late winter; prefers cold climates with chill hours
Moderate (5-7) Harvest May — Jun Harvest when berries are deep blue throughout; blueberry-like flavor
Moderate (5-7) Prune Jan — Feb Winter pruning; remove oldest wood
Warm (8-9) Transplant Dec — Jan (wraps) Marginal in warm zones; needs 800+ chill hours

Uses

Culinary

  • Fresh eating when fully ripe and sweet
  • Jams, jellies, and sauces
  • Frozen for smoothies and baking

Medicinal

  • High in anthocyanins and antioxidants like blueberries
  • Rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids
  • Supports cardiovascular and immune health

Other Uses

  • Earliest ripening fruit crop in temperate climates
  • Extremely cold-hardy edible landscape shrub