<p>Quite a new fruit to this country, although they have been cultivated in their native Siberia and Japan for many years. They are the edible fruit of a certain honeysuckle - <em>Lonicera caerulea</em> - which grows as a deciduous shrub approx. 1.5m tall. They are extremely hardy - tolerating the worst a Siberian winter can offer - and unlike blueberries these are happy in any soil. They even tolerate damper soils where other fruits would struggle.</p>
<p>Tubular white flowers emerge in spring are frost tolerant, but single plants are not reliable self-fertile, so best to plant two to ensure the heaviest crops. The fruit most closely resemble blueberries in appearance and taste, although somewhat elongated rather than round. Ripening in late June, they can be eaten fresh or used for jams and sauces. The fruit has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and is high in Vitamin C and polyphenols. Wait until the inside of the fruit has turned deep blue before picking for the best flavour.</p>
<p>Water well until the plants have established. They should begin to fruit in the second year, at which time give light doses of a high potash feed in spring. Avoid using any fertiliser with nitrogen in it, as this will promote lots of new growth and little fruit. Pruning is minimal for the first few years, simply remove any dead or damaged stems. Once the plant has reached the desired size, you can give a light trim after fruiting, and at the same time remove a little of the of the oldest wood back to ground level to encourage new growth and improve air circulation. Mulch well if your soil is free-draining, as like all honeysuckle they can get a little powdery mildew in late summer if allowed to dry out.</p>
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Honeyberry
Quite a new fruit to this country, although they have been cultivated in their native Siberia and Japan for many years. They are the edible fruit of a certain honeysuckle - Lonicera caerulea - which grows as a deciduous shrub approx. 1.5m tall. They are extremely hardy - tolerating the worst a Siberian winter can offer - and unlike blueberries these are happy in any soil. They even tolerate damper soils where other fruits would struggle.
Tubular white flowers emerge in spring are frost tolerant, but single plants are not reliable self-fertile, so best to plant two to ensure the heaviest crops. The fruit most closely resemble blueberries in appearance and taste, although somewhat elongated rather than round. Ripening in late June, they can be eaten fresh or used for jams and sauces. The fruit has been used in traditional medicine for centuries, and is high in Vitamin C and polyphenols. Wait until the inside of the fruit has turned deep blue before picking for the best flavour.
Water well until the plants have established. They should begin to fruit in the second year, at which time give light doses of a high potash feed in spring. Avoid using any fertiliser with nitrogen in it, as this will promote lots of new growth and little fruit. Pruning is minimal for the first few years, simply remove any dead or damaged stems. Once the plant has reached the desired size, you can give a light trim after fruiting, and at the same time remove a little of the of the oldest wood back to ground level to encourage new growth and improve air circulation. Mulch well if your soil is free-draining, as like all honeysuckle they can get a little powdery mildew in late summer if allowed to dry out.