Introduction to Haskap Berries (aka Honeyberries)
If you’ve never seen haskap before, this whole article is going to seem very strange to you. So before I go and tell you what haskap is, let me show you what haskap looks like.
What is Haskap?
Haskap is an amazingly hardy, fast growing, high yielding, great tasting berry bush that is relatively new to North America. It is an edible honeysuckle that originates from Siberia and can be found in Russia, China, and Japan. It goes by the name ‘Honeyberries’, ‘Blue Honeysuckle’, and ‘Haskap’. Recently, it has been developed at the University of Saskatchewan by Dr. Bob Bors for commercial production.
What makes Haskap so remarkable?
Haskap has several features that make it stand out from among all other fruits.
#1. Hardiness
Coming from Siberia, it is extremely hardy. It can withstand winter temperatures of -47° Celsius. Not only that, but its open flowers can endure -7° Celsius. They are the earliest to fruit in the season, usually in mid to late June – even earlier than strawberries.
#2. Early & High Yield
One of the greatest thing about Haskap is that it doesn’t take seven years to start producing. My seedlings were planted in the spring of 2006 and I ate my first fruit in June 2007. In the studies at the University of Saskatchewan, they were yielding 1 kg (2.2 lbs.) per plant in their 3rd year and 4 kg per plant in their 6th year. The picture below is a three-year old plant in the test patch at the University of Saskatchewan.
#3. Unique Flavor
Haskap is unlike any other fruit you’ve tried. Some have compared it’s taste to blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, rhubarb, saskatoons, and black current. The flavor seems to vary with varieties. They are most often compared with blueberries, but without the seeds. The seeds are similar to that of kiwis, so you don’t even notice them. As for it’s uses, basically anything you would do with blueberries, you could also do with haskap – eat them fresh, in baking, as jams & jellies, frozen, or whatever else you may think of.
You can learn more about Haskap by visiting these sites:
Or you can buy Haskap plants from DNA Gardens in Elnora, Alberta.
Edited: June 1, 2008
Read more in my post Haskap Blossoms In May or Early Haskap Berries.
Sydni: Sorry – no cross pollination is possible between haskap and blueberries.
Re: #99:
Unfortunately, an unhappy shipping experience has jaded your view of our company. It is regrettable that the courier companies have such difficulty transporting packages without damaging the contents, despite very clear labelling. We do appreciate feedback from our customers, including yours, regarding all aspects of our ordering process as it not only tells us what we are doing well but also the areas where we can improve. Historically, we have used a divider system in our packing process. We have tried other options with differing results and are currently researching new methods of packaging to protect the high quality plants that we provide. We cannot take responsibility for shipper error. Please see our guarantee for more information: http://www.prairieplant.com/price-order-info.html
You may contact Prairie Plant Systems if you have any further questions or comments.
Unfortunately, an unhappy shipping experience has jaded your view of our company. It is regrettable that the courier companies have such difficulty transporting packages without damaging the contents, despite very clear labelling.
Even today, you see nothing wrong with sending plant material loose in a box while depending on a label to protect them. Would you ship glassware loose in a box that was marked Glass – Fragile?
Historically, we have used a divider system in our packing process.
You must have started doing that last year because you certainly weren’t in 2009.
Can you provide pictures of your current packing for retail customers?
I just rec’d my Haskap and pollinator from Jung Seeds in Wisconsin, in great shape and budding, and after reviewing these comments I have a question. I need the pollinator but does it grow berries and are they edible? I only ordered one of each to try as my soil is not naturally acidic. How many Haskap can be taken care of with one pollinator? Hopefully I can prepare the soil and plant tomorrow.
Kathy: Good news on all fronts! I’m not sure what variety your pollinator is, but regardless, it should produce edible fruit (though perhaps not as well as your other plants). Secondly, you don’t need acidic soil! That’s one major advantage over blueberries. And number three, one pollinator should be good for about six plants.
Hopefully the Jung pollinator is not either of the honeyberry varieties that they also sell – Blue Moon or Blue Velvet. Both are later blooming varieties suited to the Pacific Northwest. Because haskap flowers so early the pollinator should be early flowering as well – Berry Blue or Blue Belle.
to Leland #7
I ordered some Borealus to plant this year. I am down here in Pennsylvania, USA. I would be very gratefull if you could send me a
handfulof wild canadian seeds to try and compare to the Borealus .
I can be contacted at gonefishing51@yahoo.com
Thanks.
For many years, Prairie Plant Systems has used the divider system when packing our plants. As our “retail-type” orders have increased, we have tried to protect those customers by trying other packaging options for our small boxes as those are the ones that generally cause problems because they are easier for the couriers to throw around. Currently, we are testing a new “wrap around” system to better keep plants in place. We care about our plants and our customers, and we strive to perform to the best of our ability to meet every customer’s needs.
Please contact Prairie Plant Systems for more information on how to order haskap, dwarf sour cherry trees, and saskatoon berry trees for spring 2011 delivery!
For many years
Perhaps for the plants that you are showing in the picture but not for haskap.
[img]http://www.albertahomegardening.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/May 28, 2009.JPG[/img]
Nonetheless, this is a great improvement. I will make changes at http://ediblebluehoneysuckle.wordpress.com/where-to-buy/
You know, you could have made this all a great deal easier, if you’d simply posted these pictures at the beginning of this exchange instead of being evasive. One wonders if things have changed at PPS!!!!!!!!!!
My intentions in dealing with your concerns, EBH, were never to be “evasive” of the situation. Rather, I have been keeping my responses to your concerns as professional and simple as possible, so as to not clog up this comment section. I am happy to provide more details outside of this public forum, regarding this or any other concern, to you or anyone else interested. I apologize to other readers for not posting pictures earlier to help avoid this extended discussion.
Changes to PPS rating made at http://ediblebluehoneysuckle.wordpress.com/where-to-buy/ and Dave’s Garden – http://davesgarden.com/products/gwd/c/7739/
Questions for anyone regarding some basic husbandry issues with ‘haskap’.
I recently purchased from a nursery in Japan plants labeled ‘haspkap’ – no cultivar is noted on the attached color label. No indication of a ‘pollinizer’ is mentioned on label, or by nursery. Will the plants be able to produce fruit without a companion pollinizer? At purchase time (May 3) small green fruit, and remnants of blossoms present on plants. Next important question is related to my area of Japan’s climate. The plant occurs naturally in Hokkaido which has a completely different climate from Tokyo. Very high humidity in summer, and clay soil in my area. Last point is ‘shiokaze’ or sea salt in wind. Citrus grows well in our area along with camellias with waxy leaves. Hydragea thrives, but mountain plants like oak leaf hydrangea brown out. Blueberries can thrive if soil is amended with lots of compost, and peat. To sum up, does anyone think that ‘haskap’ will thrive in my location?
Try contacting Dr. Maxine Thompson at the email address at the bottom of this article – http://www.growingmagazine.com/print-3838.aspx
re #42: Bob Bors, how far apart do you plant your experimental seedlings? I just planted out 75 seedlings of my own yesterday. I guessed and stuck them at 3′ apart to save space in my berry patch.
Does anyone have experience,that might be relevant to growing haskap in heavy clay in Virginia?
Further to post 112: does anyone have or know of a chart that indicates compatability for polination.
I have a Borealis and Tundra — will they cross polinate or do I need another variety?
Re #116, see http://ediblebluehoneysuckle.wordpress.com/ebh-varieties/cdn-haskap-variety-info/
I’m curious how you have Borealis and Tundra without a pollinator since they are usually sold with a pollinator. If you don’t mind, where did you get them?
pollinator is what carries the pollen from one plant to another ie bees, wind etc.
pollinizer is the plant that supplies the pollen
how did a self-fertile plant become sterile without a pollinizer?
they are still ‘lonicera caerulea’, are they not?
why would you breed out this marvelous characteristic?
My favourite local nurseries seem to be carrying only Tundra and Borealis this year so I too am curious if the people who buy only these two will ever get any fruit. On the bright side, I’m seeing potted growing Haskaps for $15.00 each whereas in previous years the price was pretty consistently at $45.00.
On the bright side, I’m seeing potted growing Haskaps for $15.00 each whereas in previous years the price was pretty consistently at $45.00.
Pipestone, Where are you finding them at that price?
Does anyone have experience with Polar Night and Polar Jewell varieties? I bought them two to a pot this spring. They have berries that are just ripening (a handful on each plant) but they are quite tart. So far I am impressed with their hardiness. We had frost here(Edmonton) in early June and it did not hurt the plants.
i just got my haskap order from http://www.haskapcentral.com . 2 borealis 2 tundra and 2 berry blue to pollinate “they even sent an extra borealis” shipping took 9 days due to Canada post labor problems , but they were not only packed extremely well but also green and vibrant . also they were about 12-15 inches and well branched. if you want quality haskap they are the people to go to
by the way…they were plugs i ordered not 2nd year plants
I bought 4 hascap (2 polar, 2 jewel – 1 of these didn’t make it) and planted them 2 years ago. To date there hasn’t been a flower or even the hint of one. The bushes look healthy and green, are now about 2 feet tall, there are lots of bees and butterflies around. What should I be doing to get these to bloom and produce?
Thanks.
Betty: That’s very strange. I would have expected them to have bloomed by now. Could you take a picture of your bushes for us? Perhaps there is another issue…
I found the cheap haskaps at Cannor Nurseries near the Devonian Botanic Gardens. Don’t know if they still have any at that price.
I am wondering what type of soil the haskap needs to grow in. Also, what kind of soil amendments would be good.(fertilizer, lime etc). Are they like the blueberry which needs an acid soil? And finally, if you have a dry soil, is regular irrigation required?
Pamela: From my understanding, haskap seems to be a very flexible plant. It has been grown quite well in soils with pH ranging from 5 to 8. So you shouldn’t need to amend your soil at all – though some well rotted maure or compost would be beneficial. As to irrigation, I guess it depends just how dry your soil is. They are generally pretty forgiving, but extreme wet or dry should be avoided.
Hi All
Just received 10 trial plants.
4 Burialis
3 indigo treat
3 indigo Gem
Will these pollinate?
John,
You need a pollinator. For this number of plants, two plants would be a good idea. USask recommends Berry Blue. Here’s some info on growing them – http://ediblebluehoneysuckle.wordpress.com/information/growing-ebh/
I’m curious as to who sold you these plants without a pollinator. Would you mind sharing that info?
Regards
i believe that they are calling Borealis and Tundra “true Haskaps” because the Japanese consumers find them to be of a high enough quality that they will buy them for the premium prices the actual Hascaps go for in Japan.
Also, the pollinizers needed for the plants in question are available at http://www.haskapcentral.com/product
it is a very easy to navigate website with good information. they sell Pollinizers which you need for every 5 plants. they produce a fruit, but it is not as large or flavourful as the berry bush.
if there are no pollinators in your area, you have a serious problem,because without pollinators (insects) we have no crops – unless someone wants to go out with a Q-tip and start getting touchy feely with the flowers…