Honeyberry Plants: Your Complete Growing Guide to This Hardy and Delicious Berry
Introduction
Looking for a cold-hardy, easy-to-grow berry that tastes incredible, ripens early, and is packed with nutrients? Say hello to the honeyberry plant (Lonicera caerulea) — a resilient shrub that produces delicious blue fruits with a tangy-sweet flavour.
Also known as Haskap or blue honeysuckle, honeyberry plants are becoming increasingly popular with gardeners across the UK, Europe, and North America. They’re ideal for anyone looking to grow soft fruit in cooler climates, and their high levels of antioxidants make them a hit with health-conscious eaters.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to choose, grow, and care for honeyberry plants, plus everything you need to enjoy a successful harvest.
What Is a Honeyberry Plant?
The honeyberry plant is a deciduous fruiting shrub in the honeysuckle family. It produces elongated, blueberry-like berries on sturdy, frost-hardy bushes.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lonicera caerulea |
| Common names | Honeyberry, Haskap, Blue Honeysuckle |
| Size at maturity | 1–2 metres tall and wide |
| Fruit ripening | May–June (earlier than most berries) |
| Cold hardiness | Down to -40°C |
| Pollination | Requires cross-pollination with another variety |
| Lifespan | 30–40 years with good care |
Honeyberry plants are extremely low-maintenance once established — and produce for decades!
Why Grow Honeyberry Plants?
✅ Hardy in extreme cold
✅ Ripens before strawberries and blueberries
✅ Self-sufficient once mature
✅ Pest and disease resistant
✅ Nutritious and antioxidant-rich
✅ Great for small gardens or large plots
These plants are perfect for beginner gardeners and seasoned fruit growers alike.
Best Honeyberry Plant Varieties
Choosing the right combination of varieties is important, as honeyberries require two different cultivars for cross-pollination.
| Variety | Season | Flavour & Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Honey Bee | Mid | Great pollinator, very reliable |
| Blue Banana | Mid | Large, sweet berries — great fresh |
| Boreal Beast | Late | High yield, firm fruit |
| Aurora | Early-Mid | Excellent flavour and growth rate |
| Wojtek | Early-Mid | Easy to grow, well-suited to UK conditions |
| Duet | Early | Compact, good for containers |
| Strawberry Sensation | Early | Fruity, sweet-tart — unique flavour |
💡 Tip: Choose two varieties with overlapping bloom times for the best results.
Where to Buy Honeyberry Plants
You can buy honeyberry plants from:
- Online nurseries (best variety selection)
- Local garden centres
- Fruit tree and soft fruit specialists
- Farmers’ markets or horticultural shows
Make sure your plants are named cultivars, at least 2 years old, and supplied with clear pollination guidance.
How to Plant Honeyberry Plants
📍 When to Plant
- Autumn or early spring (while dormant)
- Avoid frozen or waterlogged ground
🪴 Where to Plant
- Full sun is ideal
- Tolerates partial shade
- Well-drained, fertile soil
🌱 Planting Steps:
- Dig a hole twice the width of the rootball
- Add compost and mix with soil
- Plant at the same depth as in the pot
- Water in well
- Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Space plants 1.2–2m apart, depending on variety size.
Caring for Honeyberry Plants
Honeyberries are low-maintenance but benefit from the following:
| Task | How Often | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Watering | Weekly in dry weather | Helps fruit swell and establish roots |
| Feeding | Spring (once/year) | Use a balanced organic fertiliser |
| Pruning | Late summer/winter | Remove dead or weak wood |
| Mulching | Annually | Retains moisture and adds nutrients |
| Weeding | As needed | Reduces competition and pest hiding spots |
Common Honeyberry Problems (And Fixes)
| Problem | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No fruit | Only one plant or mismatched varieties | Add a second compatible pollinator |
| Bird damage | Birds love ripe berries | Use fruit netting during ripening |
| Sparse growth | Poor soil or drought stress | Improve soil with compost, water regularly |
| Late flowering | Incompatible pair for pollination | Choose better-matched varieties |
| Mildew (rare) | Humid, crowded conditions | Prune for airflow and avoid overhead watering |
When and How to Harvest Honeyberries
- Ripening time: May to early July (UK)
- Berries are ready when they’re fully deep blue and soft
- Taste one — if still tart, give it another few days
- Harvest by hand or gently shake branches over a sheet
- Netting may be needed to deter birds
Yields increase significantly after the third year and can reach 2–5kg per plant annually.
How to Use Honeyberries
Honeyberries are incredibly versatile in the kitchen:
| Use | Suggestions |
|---|---|
| Fresh eating | Great in fruit bowls or with yoghurt |
| Baking | Use in muffins, tarts, crumbles, cakes |
| Jam & preserves | High pectin for easy setting |
| Smoothies | Blend with banana, oats, or spinach |
| Fermenting | Honeyberry wine, cider, or infused spirits |
| Freezing | Freeze whole and use year-round |
Their deep purple colour and antioxidant profile also make them popular in health-conscious recipes.
Health Benefits of Honeyberry Fruit
Honeyberries are classed as a superfruit, rich in antioxidants and low in sugar.
| Nutrient/Compound | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Anthocyanins | Powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory |
| Vitamin C | Supports immunity and skin health |
| Polyphenols | Cardiovascular protection |
| Fibre | Digestive health and fullness |
| Low glycaemic index | Suitable for diabetics |
They often contain more antioxidants than blueberries!
Can I Grow Honeyberry Plants in Pots?
Yes — they grow well in large containers, ideal for patios or balconies.
Container Growing Tips:
- Use a 45cm+ pot with drainage holes
- Fill with loam-based compost (e.g., John Innes No.3)
- Feed with a balanced fruit fertiliser in spring
- Water regularly, especially in hot weather
- Repot every 2–3 years or top up with fresh compost
Compact varieties like Duet or Blue Velvet are perfect for pots.
Honeyberry Plant Care Calendar (UK)
| Month | Task |
|---|---|
| January–March | Prune dead wood, plant new bare-root shrubs |
| April–May | Watch for flowering, water during dry spells |
| May–June | Harvest berries, net plants from birds |
| July–August | Light prune if needed |
| September | Mulch, weed, prep for winter |
| October–December | Plant new shrubs, protect roots in pots |
Conclusion
Honeyberry plants are a fantastic addition to any UK garden, allotment, or patio space. With their early harvest, cold tolerance, health benefits, and versatility, they offer everything you want in a soft fruit — with far less effort than many alternatives.
Just remember to choose at least two compatible varieties, plant them in a sunny, well-drained spot, and give them a little care — and they’ll reward you with decades of delicious, homegrown superfruit.
Top 10 Questions and Answers About Honeyberry Plants
1. Are honeyberry plants easy to grow?
Yes — they’re low-maintenance, frost-hardy, and resilient.
2. Do I need more than one honeyberry plant?
Yes — they’re not self-fertile. Two or more different varieties are required.
3. When do honeyberries fruit?
Usually late May to early July in the UK.
4. How big do honeyberry bushes grow?
Typically 1–2 metres tall and wide depending on variety.
5. Can I grow honeyberry plants in pots?
Yes — choose a compact variety and a large pot with good compost.
6. What do honeyberries taste like?
A blend of blueberry, blackcurrant, and grape — sweet with a tangy edge.
7. Are honeyberries good for you?
Absolutely — they’re high in vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants.
8. Where can I buy honeyberry plants in the UK?
Online nurseries, garden centres, and specialist fruit growers.
9. Do honeyberries need much pruning?
Very little — just remove dead or crossing branches each winter.
10. How long do honeyberry plants live?
With good care, they can live and fruit for 30–40 years.