Honeyberry UK: A Complete Guide to Growing This Cold-Hardy Superfruit
Introduction
Looking for a unique fruit to grow in your UK garden or allotment? Meet the honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea) — also known as Haskap — a delicious, resilient superfruit that thrives in the British climate.
With its blueberry-like appearance, tangy-sweet taste, and incredible hardiness (down to -40°C), the honeyberry is quickly becoming a favourite among UK growers. Even better, it’s rich in antioxidants, low-maintenance, and ripens earlier than most other berries — often by late spring.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about growing honeyberries in the UK, from planting and pollination to harvesting, eating, and troubleshooting.
What Is a Honeyberry?
Honeyberry, or Haskap, is a deciduous shrub that produces blue-purple, elongated berries that look like stretched blueberries. Native to Siberia, northern Japan, and eastern Russia, honeyberries are now widely grown across Canada, Eastern Europe, and increasingly in the UK.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Lonicera caerulea |
| Common names | Honeyberry, Haskap, Blue Honeysuckle |
| Flavour profile | Sweet-tart; like blueberry + blackcurrant |
| Fruit ripening | May–June in the UK |
| Cold hardiness | Survives -40°C |
| Pollination | Needs two or more different varieties |
Why Grow Honeyberries in the UK?
✅ Perfect for UK’s cool climate
✅ Early harvest — even before strawberries
✅ Tolerates wind, frost, and clay soil
✅ Little pest or disease pressure
✅ Beautiful edible hedging option
✅ Healthier than blueberries in many cases
Honeyberries are great for low-maintenance, high-reward gardening.
Best Honeyberry Varieties for UK Gardens
Not all honeyberries are suited to the UK. Choose varieties that flower and fruit at compatible times.
| Variety | Traits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Honey Bee | Great pollinator, tart fruit | Must pair with another variety |
| Blue Banana | Sweet flavour, high yields | Mid-season |
| Boreal Beast | Large berries, later flowering | Good with Honey Bee |
| Duet | Early flowering, compact | Use with another early variety |
| Wojtek | Polish origin, reliable UK performer | Medium-sized plant |
| Blue Velvet | Decorative and productive | Great for small spaces |
For successful pollination, plant two compatible varieties that flower at the same time.
How to Grow Honeyberries in the UK
📍 Where to Plant
- Full sun or light dappled shade
- Open position with good airflow
- Great for beds, borders, or large containers
🌱 Soil Requirements
- Moist but well-drained
- Tolerates a wide pH (5.5–7.5)
- Enrich with compost or organic matter
- Mulch annually to suppress weeds and retain moisture
🪴 Planting Tips
- Space 1.2–2m apart (depending on variety)
- Plant in autumn or spring
- Water in well and stake if needed
🌼 Pollination
- Plant two or more different cultivars
- They are not self-fertile
- Group together within 1.5m for bees to do their job
Caring for Your Honeyberry Plants
| Task | Notes |
|---|---|
| Watering | Regular in the first year, and during fruiting |
| Feeding | Feed in spring with balanced fertiliser |
| Mulching | Apply compost or bark around base yearly |
| Pruning | Minimal – prune lightly after fruiting to maintain shape |
| Weeding | Keep area around base weed-free |
Honeyberries are relatively low-fuss once established.
When and How to Harvest Honeyberries in the UK
- Ripen in May to early July, depending on variety
- Berries are ready when fully dark blue and soft to the touch
- Taste a few – if still tart, wait a few days
- Use both hands or a berry rake to collect quickly
- Birds love them — use netting if needed!
You’ll get a decent crop from the second or third year, with yields increasing as the shrub matures.
How to Use Honeyberries in the Kitchen
| Culinary Use | How to Prepare |
|---|---|
| Fresh eating | Eat raw – sweet with a tangy kick |
| Jam & jelly | High pectin = quick setting |
| Baking | Add to muffins, crumbles, and pies |
| Smoothies & yoghurt | Great in breakfast bowls |
| Fermenting | Use in wines, gins, or kombucha |
| Freezing | Freeze whole – holds flavour well |
Honeyberries are versatile, colourful, and packed with flavour.
Health Benefits of Honeyberries
These berries aren’t just tasty — they’re nutrient powerhouses.
| Nutrient | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Anthocyanins | High antioxidant content for cell health |
| Vitamin C | Boosts immune system |
| Fibre | Supports digestion |
| Low GI | Blood sugar friendly |
| Anti-inflammatory | May help with heart and brain health |
Studies show honeyberries have higher antioxidant levels than blueberries.
Common Honeyberry Problems in the UK
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Lack of fruit | Add second variety for pollination |
| Poor growth | Check soil drainage and improve with compost |
| Spring frost | Protect young buds with fleece if needed |
| Birds eating fruit | Use netting or bird-friendly decoys |
| Leaf yellowing | Feed with general-purpose fertiliser in spring |
Honeyberries are generally hardy and resilient against most pests and diseases.
Where to Buy Honeyberry Plants in the UK
You can find plants from:
- Specialist online nurseries
- Garden centres with soft fruit sections
- Mail-order fruit tree suppliers
- RHS shows and plant fairs
Look for reputable suppliers offering named, pollination-compatible varieties.
Growing Honeyberries in Pots
Yes — honeyberries are great in containers, especially on patios or small gardens.
Container Tips:
- Use pots 40cm+ wide and deep
- Fill with loam-based compost (like John Innes No. 3)
- Ensure good drainage
- Water consistently
- Repot or refresh compost every 2–3 years
Best varieties for pots: Duet, Blue Velvet, or other compact growers.
Conclusion
Honeyberries are an exciting and easy-to-grow fruit for UK gardeners. Hardy, early-fruiting, and bursting with flavour and nutrition, they’re perfect for home gardens, allotments, or even large pots.
Just remember to plant two different varieties for pollination, keep the soil moist but well-drained, and protect your crop from hungry birds when ripening begins. Whether you eat them fresh, bake with them, or turn them into jam, honeyberries are sure to become a new favourite on your plot.
Top 10 Questions and Answers About Honeyberries in the UK
1. Do honeyberries grow well in the UK?
Yes — they thrive in UK conditions, especially in northern and western regions.
2. When do honeyberries ripen in the UK?
Usually late May to early July, depending on the variety.
3. Do I need two honeyberry plants?
Yes — they are not self-fertile and require cross-pollination from a different variety.
4. Can honeyberries grow in pots?
Yes — choose a compact variety and use a large, deep container.
5. Are honeyberries easy to grow?
Very — they are low-maintenance, pest-resistant, and hardy.
6. What do honeyberries taste like?
Like a mix of blueberries, blackberries, and grapes — sweet-tart and juicy.
7. Where can I buy honeyberry plants in the UK?
From online nurseries, garden centres, and fruit tree specialists.
8. Do birds eat honeyberries?
Yes — they love them. Use netting once berries start to ripen.
9. How tall do honeyberry bushes grow?
1 to 2 metres depending on the variety.
10. Can I grow honeyberries with other soft fruit?
Yes — they pair well with raspberries, blueberries, and gooseberries in a fruit bed.