Blue Honeyberry Bush: The Complete Growing Guide for This Cold-Hardy Superfruit
Introduction
If you’re looking to grow a beautiful, resilient, and productive berry bush in your garden, the blue honeyberry bush (Lonicera caerulea) deserves a spot on your shortlist.
Also known as blue honeysuckle or Haskap, this bushy shrub produces elongated, blue-purple fruits bursting with sweet-tart flavour. The fruit is rich in antioxidants, ripens earlier than strawberries, and the plant itself thrives in cool climates with little maintenance.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know about growing and caring for a blue honeyberry bush, from choosing the right varieties to harvesting fruit and troubleshooting common issues.
What Is a Blue Honeyberry Bush?
A blue honeyberry bush is a cold-hardy, deciduous shrub native to Siberia, northern Japan, and Canada. It produces finger-shaped blue fruits with a flavour similar to blueberries, blackcurrants, and grapes — but with its own unique tang.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lonicera caerulea |
| Common names | Blue honeyberry, Haskap, blue honeysuckle |
| Plant size | 1–2 metres tall and wide |
| Fruit | Blue-purple, oval berries |
| Flavour | Sweet-tart, like blueberry + elderberry |
| Hardiness | Down to -40°C |
| Pollination | Needs a second variety for cross-pollination |
| Harvest window | May to early July |
| Lifespan | 30+ years of productive fruiting |
Why Grow a Blue Honeyberry Bush?
✅ Cold-hardy — ideal for UK winters and exposed gardens
✅ Early harvest — often fruiting before strawberries
✅ Low-maintenance — needs minimal pruning or feeding
✅ Great for pollinators — early spring blooms attract bees
✅ Superfood berries — rich in antioxidants and vitamin C
✅ Pest-resistant — rarely suffers from disease or infestations
It’s a perfect shrub for low-effort, high-yield fruit growing.
Best Blue Honeyberry Varieties (UK Recommendations)
To get fruit, you’ll need two different varieties that bloom at the same time. Here are some of the most reliable and delicious options available in the UK:
| Variety | Highlights | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora | Sweet, juicy, large berries | Vigorous grower, mid-season |
| Honey Bee | Excellent pollinator, tangy fruit | Hardy and productive |
| Boreal Beast | Firm berries, rich flavour | Late-season |
| Wojtek | Reliable early cropper | Great in UK climates |
| Duet | Compact size for containers | Early flowering |
| Strawberry Sensation | Strawberry-like aftertaste | Unique flavour |
💡 Tip: For best results, plant two cultivars that flower at the same time. For example, Aurora + Honey Bee is a popular pairing.
Where to Plant a Blue Honeyberry Bush
Blue honeyberries are adaptable and forgiving, but to get the best fruit yield, choose:
- Full sun (minimum 6 hours/day)
- Sheltered location if possible
- Well-drained soil — avoids waterlogging
- Open airflow — helps prevent mildew
They also do well in raised beds or large pots, making them suitable for gardens and patios alike.
How to Plant a Blue Honeyberry Bush (Step-by-Step)
- Dig a hole twice the width of the rootball and the same depth
- Mix in compost or well-rotted manure
- Plant at the same depth it was in the pot
- Space bushes 1.5–2m apart (1m if using compact varieties)
- Water well after planting
- Apply mulch around the base to conserve moisture
Growing Blue Honeyberry Bushes in Containers
Yes — they thrive in pots with the right care.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Pot size | 45–50cm+ wide and deep |
| Compost | Loam-based (e.g., John Innes No. 3) |
| Drainage | Ensure drainage holes are unobstructed |
| Feeding | Use a balanced fruit fertiliser in spring |
| Watering | Keep evenly moist, especially in hot spells |
Choose compact types like Duet or Blue Velvet for best results in pots.
How to Care for a Blue Honeyberry Bush
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Watering | Weekly in dry weather | Essential in year 1 and during fruit set |
| Feeding | Spring (once yearly) | Use balanced fertiliser or comfrey tea |
| Mulching | Spring and autumn | Helps retain moisture, suppress weeds |
| Pruning | Light pruning in winter | Remove weak, damaged or crowded stems |
| Weeding | Regularly | Keeps competition away from roots |
Honeyberries need very little upkeep once established.
When to Harvest Honeyberries
- Fruit ripens from late May to early July
- Ready when fully dark blue, soft, and sweet
- Not all berries ripen at once — harvest every 2–3 days
- Ripe berries will fall off easily when touched
- Use bird netting — birds love ripe honeyberries!
Each mature bush can produce 3–5kg of fruit annually.
What Do Blue Honeyberries Taste Like?
Honeyberries have a complex, rich flavour:
- Sweet like blueberries
- Tart like blackcurrants
- Juicy and refreshing
- Some varieties have hints of grape, elderberry, or even kiwi
Flavour varies slightly by cultivar and improves with ripeness.
Health Benefits of Blue Honeyberries
Honeyberries are packed with:
| Nutrient | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Anthocyanins | Powerful antioxidant |
| Vitamin C | Immune support and skin health |
| Fibre | Aids digestion and lowers cholesterol |
| Polyphenols | May support heart and brain health |
| Low sugar | Suitable for diabetics |
They often contain more antioxidants than blueberries.
Common Problems (And Solutions)
| Problem | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| No fruit | Only one variety planted | Add second, compatible cultivar |
| Bird damage | Birds love ripe berries | Use netting |
| Weak growth | Poor soil, drainage, or shade | Improve conditions, move if needed |
| Frost damage to flowers | Late frosts after early bloom | Cover with fleece if needed |
| Sparse flowering | Overcrowded stems | Prune lightly to open up the plant |
Culinary Uses for Blue Honeyberries
These versatile berries can be used just like blueberries:
| Use | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Fresh eating | Great flavour and juicy texture |
| Smoothies | Bright colour and tart-sweet taste |
| Jams and jellies | High pectin content for quick setting |
| Baking | Excellent in muffins, tarts, and crumbles |
| Wine or cordial | Complex flavour for fermentation |
| Freezing | Freeze whole for later use |
Companion Planting and Pollination
Honeyberries require cross-pollination between two different cultivars that flower at the same time.
| Tip | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Buy two varieties | Ensures fruit set |
| Plant within 1.5m of each other | Helps bees move easily between flowers |
| Avoid late/early mismatches | Flowering must overlap |
Early pollinators like bumblebees and hoverflies love honeyberry blossoms.
Where to Buy a Blue Honeyberry Bush (UK)
- 🌿 Online nurseries: Pomona Fruits, Blackmoor, Thompson & Morgan, Ashridge
- 🛍️ Garden centres: Dobbies, RHS centres, local specialists
- 📦 Mail order: Delivered potted or bare-root (Nov–March)
Expect to pay:
- £10–£15 for bare-root
- £15–£30 for potted
- £30+ for mature container-grown plants
Always check for pollination compatibility before you buy.
Conclusion
The blue honeyberry bush is a fantastic, underused plant that deserves more space in UK gardens. It’s tough, delicious, early-fruiting, and packed with nutrition — perfect for anyone looking to grow soft fruit without the hassle.
By planting two different varieties, giving them a sunny spot, and applying a little spring care, you’ll enjoy decades of juicy, vitamin-rich berries.
Whether you’re a seasoned grower or just starting out, honeyberry bushes offer huge rewards for very little effort.
Top 10 FAQs About Blue Honeyberry Bushes
1. Is a blue honeyberry the same as a haskap?
Yes — it’s another name for the same plant (Lonicera caerulea).
2. Do I need more than one bush?
Yes — at least two different varieties for cross-pollination.
3. How big does a blue honeyberry bush get?
Usually 1–2 metres tall and wide, depending on the variety.
4. When does it fruit in the UK?
From late May to early July.
5. What do the berries taste like?
Sweet-tart, like blueberry + blackcurrant + grape.
6. Can I grow them in containers?
Yes — just use a large pot and choose a compact cultivar.
7. How long do they live?
With good care, 30–40 years or more.
8. Are they good for wildlife?
Yes — flowers feed early pollinators, and the bush provides shelter.
9. Where can I buy one?
Online or at specialist UK nurseries and garden centres.
10. Are they worth growing over blueberries?
Yes — they’re easier, hardier, and often more nutritious.