Honey Berry: How to Grow, Harvest, and Enjoy This Resilient Superfruit
Introduction
Looking for a new, exciting berry to grow or add to your diet? Meet the honey berry — also known as Haskap or Lonicera caerulea — a cold-loving, disease-resistant shrub that produces delicious blue fruits long before most other berries ripen.
With its sweet-tart flavour, easy care requirements, and rich nutritional value, the honey berry is gaining popularity across the UK, Europe, and North America. Whether you’re a gardener wanting a resilient fruit crop or a food lover seeking your next superfruit fix, the honey berry delivers.
In this guide, you’ll discover what honey berries are, how to grow and care for honey berry bushes, their health benefits, culinary uses, and frequently asked questions.
What Is a Honey Berry?
A honey berry is the fruit of the Lonicera caerulea plant — a deciduous shrub in the honeysuckle family. The berries are elongated, blue-purple, and ripen in late spring to early summer.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lonicera caerulea |
| Common names | Honey berry, Haskap, Blue honeysuckle |
| Fruit type | Blue, oval-shaped, soft berries |
| Flavour profile | Sweet-tart, similar to blueberry and grape |
| Mature plant size | 1–2 metres tall and wide |
| Lifespan | 30+ years of fruiting |
| Hardiness | Survives down to -40°C |
Originally found in Siberia and northern Japan, honey berry plants are extremely hardy, making them ideal for UK gardens and cool-climate growers.
Why Choose Honey Berry Plants?
✅ Fruits earlier than most berries — harvest in May or June
✅ Very cold-hardy — thrives even in northern UK regions
✅ Easy to grow — low maintenance, minimal pruning
✅ Disease and pest resistant
✅ Nutritional powerhouse — high in antioxidants and vitamin C
✅ Great for wildlife — early flowers support spring pollinators
They’re perfect for allotments, home gardens, and container growing.
What Do Honey Berries Taste Like?
Honey berries have a complex flavour often described as a mix of:
- Blueberries
- Blackcurrants
- Elderberries
- Grapes
- Sometimes with a kiwi-like tang
The taste varies by variety and ripeness — from bold and tart to mild and sweet. When fully ripe, they are soft, juicy, and deeply flavoured — perfect for eating fresh or using in recipes.
Best Honey Berry Varieties for UK Growers
Since honey berries are not self-fertile, you’ll need to plant two different varieties with compatible flowering times.
| Variety Name | Description | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora | Sweet, juicy, mid-season | Popular for eating fresh |
| Honey Bee | Strong pollinator, slightly tangy fruit | Reliable cropping |
| Boreal Beast | Firm fruit, excellent for baking | Later ripening |
| Duet | Early flowering, compact habit | Good for small gardens or pots |
| Wojtek | Early cropper, reliable in UK climates | Tangy-sweet flavour |
| Blue Banana | Mild, sweet berries | Good for beginners |
💡 Tip: Pair varieties like Aurora + Honey Bee or Wojtek + Duet for best pollination and yield.
How to Grow Honey Berry Plants
📍 Location
- Full sun preferred
- Partial shade tolerated
- Shelter from strong winds
🌱 Soil Requirements
- Well-drained, fertile soil
- pH 5.5 to 7.5 (neutral to slightly acidic)
- Enrich with compost or aged manure before planting
🪴 Planting Instructions
- Plant in autumn or early spring
- Space plants 1.5–2 metres apart
- Water in well and apply mulch
- Choose two compatible varieties
Can I Grow Honey Berries in Pots?
Yes! Compact varieties like Duet or Blue Velvet grow well in containers.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Pot size | At least 45–50cm wide and deep |
| Compost | Loam-based (e.g., John Innes No.3) |
| Drainage | Ensure holes at the base |
| Feeding | Balanced fruit fertiliser in spring |
| Watering | Keep moist but not soggy |
You’ll still need two varieties in pots for fruiting success.
Caring for Your Honey Berry Bush
| Task | How Often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Watering | Weekly in dry weather | Especially important in first year |
| Feeding | Spring | Use a general-purpose fruit feed |
| Mulching | Annually | Helps conserve moisture and reduce weeds |
| Pruning | Minimal, winter if needed | Remove dead or crossing branches |
| Weeding | As needed | Keep base clear of competition |
Honey berries require little maintenance and no specialist skills.
When to Harvest Honey Berries
- Ripen in the UK from late May to early July
- Ready when fully dark blue and slightly soft
- Harvest every few days as they ripen in batches
- Ripe berries detach easily from the plant
- Birds love them — use netting if needed
Expect 3–5kg per mature bush per season!
Health Benefits of Honey Berries
Honey berries are considered a nutrient-dense superfruit:
| Nutrient | Health Benefit |
|---|---|
| Anthocyanins | Anti-inflammatory, supports brain and heart |
| Vitamin C | Boosts immune system, skin repair |
| Fibre | Supports digestion and cholesterol balance |
| Low glycaemic index | Good for blood sugar control |
| Polyphenols | Supports healthy ageing and disease resistance |
They often contain more antioxidants than blueberries, making them a top choice for healthy snacking and recipes.
Culinary Uses for Honey Berries
| Use | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Fresh eating | Great straight off the bush |
| Smoothies | Tart and colourful addition |
| Jam & jelly | High pectin content for easy setting |
| Baking | Use in muffins, cakes, or crumbles |
| Fermented drinks | Try honeyberry wine, cider, or gin |
| Freezing | Freeze whole for year-round use |
They’re versatile and work well in both sweet and savoury dishes.
Where to Buy Honey Berry Plants in the UK
You can find honey berry plants from:
- 🌿 Online nurseries: Pomona Fruits, Blackmoor, Thompson & Morgan, Ashridge
- 🛍️ Garden centres: Some larger centres and local stockists
- 📦 Mail order: Bare-root (Nov–March), potted year-round
Check that you’re buying two named varieties that flower together for fruiting success.
Common Problems with Honey Berry Plants
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No fruit | Only one variety planted | Add a second, compatible variety |
| Poor pollination | Mismatched flowering times | Choose overlapping varieties |
| Bird damage | Birds love ripe berries | Use netting in late spring |
| Slow growth | Shaded or compacted soil | Move to a sunnier, better-drained area |
| Yellowing leaves | Nutrient deficiency | Apply balanced fertiliser in spring |
Conclusion
The honey berry is one of the easiest and most rewarding superfruits to grow in the UK. With their early harvest window, hardiness, low maintenance, and incredible flavour, honey berries are the perfect crop for anyone wanting to expand their soft fruit collection.
Plant two compatible varieties, give them sunlight and a little compost, and you’ll enjoy decades of juicy, antioxidant-rich fruit straight from your garden or patio.
Whether you’re growing for health, taste, or garden beauty — honey berries tick every box.
Top 10 FAQs About Honey Berries
1. Are honey berries and haskap the same?
Yes — they’re two names for the same plant species (Lonicera caerulea).
2. Are honey berries easy to grow?
Yes — they’re very low-maintenance and well-suited to UK gardens.
3. Do I need two honey berry plants?
Yes — for fruit, you need two different cultivars that flower at the same time.
4. What do honey berries taste like?
A mix of blueberry, blackcurrant, and grape — sweet, tart, and juicy.
5. Can I grow honey berries in pots?
Absolutely — use a large pot and a compact variety like Duet.
6. When do they fruit in the UK?
Usually between late May and early July.
7. Are honey berries good for you?
Yes — they’re high in antioxidants, fibre, and vitamin C.
8. How long do they live?
With care, a honey berry bush can last 30–40 years.
9. Where can I buy them?
From UK online nurseries, local garden centres, or RHS shows.
10. Are they better than blueberries?
They’re hardier, ripen earlier, and often contain more antioxidants.