Honeyberry Plants for Sale: The Ultimate UK Buying Guide for This Hardy Superfruit
Introduction
If you’re looking for honeyberry plants for sale in the UK, you’re not alone. With the rising popularity of this cold-hardy, nutrient-rich superfruit, more and more UK gardeners are adding honeyberries to their plots, allotments, and patios.
Also known as Haskap or blue honeysuckle, the honeyberry is an early-fruiting, disease-resistant shrub that thrives in our climate — especially in northern and coastal regions. Whether you want sweet berries for snacking, tangy fruit for jam, or a resilient shrub for edible hedging, honeyberry plants are a smart investment.
In this guide, you’ll discover where to buy honeyberry plants in the UK, what to look for, and how to choose the right cultivars for a productive crop.
What Are Honeyberry Plants?
Honeyberry plants (Lonicera caerulea) are deciduous fruiting shrubs that produce elongated blue berries in late spring or early summer. Native to Russia and Japan, they are extremely hardy and perfect for UK growing conditions.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Common names | Honeyberry, Haskap, Blue Honeysuckle |
| Size | 1–2 metres tall and wide |
| Pollination | Needs two different varieties to fruit |
| Taste | Sweet-tart like blueberry + blackcurrant |
| Harvest time | May–June |
| Hardiness | Survives -40°C winters |
| Fruit use | Fresh, jams, smoothies, baking, wine |
Why Buy Honeyberry Plants?
✅ Early harvest – fruit in May and June
✅ Cold-hardy – perfect for UK winters
✅ Few pests or diseases
✅ Rich in antioxidants – a genuine superfruit
✅ Beautiful in the garden – edible and ornamental
✅ Ideal for beginners – low maintenance, long-lasting
They are perfect for anyone looking to grow healthy, homegrown fruit with minimal effort.
Where to Buy Honeyberry Plants in the UK
🌐 Online Nurseries (Most Variety Choice)
- Pomona Fruits – known for strong soft fruit collections
- Blackmoor Nurseries – UK-grown plants, good stock availability
- Thompson & Morgan – popular garden centre with honeyberry bundles
- Ashridge Trees – bare-root and potted options available
- One Green World (UK distribution) – known for rare fruit varieties
🛒 Garden Centres
Some larger garden centres stock honeyberry plants in spring. Look for:
- Dobbies
- B&Q (seasonal)
- RHS Partner Gardens
- Independent nurseries
🎪 RHS Shows & Plant Fairs
- Spring shows often feature honeyberry cultivars from smaller nurseries
- Talk to growers directly and ask about pollination partners
What to Look for When Buying Honeyberry Plants
✅ Named cultivars – essential for pollination compatibility
✅ 2+ year-old plants – more likely to fruit sooner
✅ Healthy root system – check for signs of rot or wilting
✅ Clear labelling – variety name, flowering time, origin
✅ Companion variety – always buy at least two compatible plants
Avoid unlabelled or single “Haskap” plants — you need two different varieties to get fruit.
Best Honeyberry Varieties to Buy in the UK
Choose two different cultivars that flower at the same time for best fruiting.
| Variety Name | Description | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Honey Bee | Very reliable pollinator, tangy fruit | Processing, pollination |
| Aurora | Sweet, juicy, productive | Fresh eating |
| Blue Banana | Large berries, mild and sweet | Snacks, smoothies |
| Wojtek | Early flowering, strong grower | Cooler areas |
| Boreal Beast | Late flowering, firm fruit | Freezing, baking |
| Duet | Compact, good for containers | Patio gardens |
💡 Tip: Buy a matched pair, such as Aurora + Honey Bee or Duet + Wojtek.
How Much Do Honeyberry Plants Cost?
| Plant Type | Average Price (UK) |
|---|---|
| Bare-root (winter only) | £8–£15 per plant |
| Potted (2–3L pots) | £12–£25 depending on nursery |
| Plant bundles (2 or more) | £20–£40 per set |
| Mature plants (5L+) | £30–£50+ |
Buying a pair together ensures better pollination and saves on postage.
When Is the Best Time to Buy Honeyberry Plants?
- Bare-root season: November to March
- Potted plants: Available year-round (best planted in spring or autumn)
Order early in the season for the best variety choice and planting success.
Can You Buy Honeyberry Plants for Containers?
Yes! Many nurseries offer compact varieties perfect for patios.
Recommended container types:
- Duet
- Blue Velvet
- Strawberry Sensation
Buy a large pot (45cm+), use loam-based compost, and remember to water regularly.
What to Avoid When Buying Honeyberry Plants
🚫 Single unnamed plants – you won’t get fruit without a pollination partner
🚫 Damaged or root-bound plants – hard to establish
🚫 Out-of-season planting – bare-root plants should not be planted in summer
🚫 Incorrect pairings – early and late bloomers may not cross-pollinate
Always research the bloom period compatibility when choosing your pair.
Planting Tips After Purchase
- Soak bare-root plants before planting
- Dig holes twice as wide as the rootball
- Add compost to enrich poor soils
- Water in well and apply mulch
- Space 1.5–2 metres apart for best growth
Keep the label and note the pollination partner for future care.
Can You Buy Honeyberry Seeds Instead?
Technically yes, but it’s not recommended.
- Seed-grown plants won’t be true to type
- May take 3–5 years to fruit
- No guarantee of self-compatibility
It’s better to buy two named, grafted plants for reliable, early harvests.
Honeyberry Plant FAQs for Buyers
1. Can I buy just one honeyberry plant?
You can, but you won’t get fruit unless a different compatible variety is nearby.
2. How long before honeyberries fruit?
Most plants fruit in year 2 or 3, especially if bought mature.
3. Do online nurseries ship honeyberry plants safely?
Yes — most pack them in sturdy boxes and guarantee safe arrival.
4. Can I grow honeyberries in Scotland or Northern Ireland?
Absolutely — they’re ideal for colder, wetter UK regions.
5. Are honeyberries better than blueberries?
Honeyberries are easier to grow, fruit earlier, and often have more antioxidants.
6. Do I need a special soil or feed?
No — they tolerate a wide pH and just need a general fruit fertiliser in spring.
7. Can I grow them on a balcony or patio?
Yes, in pots — choose a compact variety and water regularly.
8. Where can I buy rare or new honeyberry cultivars?
Look at specialist fruit nurseries or import via trusted EU seed banks.
9. Are honeyberry plants worth the money?
Definitely — one plant can live 30+ years and yield 3–5kg of fruit annually.
10. Can I mix and match varieties from different nurseries?
Yes — just make sure they flower at the same time.
Conclusion
If you’re searching for honeyberry plants for sale, you’re making a smart choice. These hardy, fruitful shrubs are perfect for the UK climate, offering early harvests, low maintenance, and a nutrient-packed crop year after year.
Choose two compatible varieties, buy from a trusted nursery, and plant them in a sunny spot — and you’ll enjoy homegrown superberries in no time.
Whether you’re growing in the ground, on an allotment, or in containers, honeyberry plants are a flavourful and long-term investment in your garden.