PlantFiles: Blue Honeysuckle, Edible Honeysuckle, Bearberry Honeysuckle, Honeyberry
Lonicera caerulea var. edulis

I planted two honeyberry plants this March. They are doing quite well. Won't get any berries this year but they seem to be thriving. The nursery said they would do well in partial shade.
Hope to have berries next year.

A number of selections from Russia are now being grown on the prairies of Canada. I have started from seed sent to me by a friend in Japan (this may be L. kamchatika) and had very good germination (100% on the first setting) after 4 - 5 months in the refrigerator. Planted the seedlings in a 4 ft. x 4 ft. grid and am looking forward to spring. I also have some plants from the University of Saskatchewan's collection of Russian varieties.

I am looking for seed from plants with good quality fruit for a private collection which I am starting.

Small, arching shrub from Siberia and surrounding regions.

Has lance like, mid-sea green leaves. Bears very small funnel-bell shaped white flowers followed by teardrop shaped currant sized, blue berries. Berries have a sharp taste and a little like blueberry.

Flowers February - March, fruits from May

Very hardy, will tolerate most well drained, fertile soil. Will probably need two plants grown together if fruit is desired as they aren't always self fertile.

Note on Personal Experience

I did grow a couple from seed some years ago sent to me by a very kind gentleman. However while they germnated reasonably well with some cold treatment the seedlings were quite weakly and died after 6 months.

I've since bought a new shrub and the previous owner tells me they are good for cuttings.