Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica
honeyberry
An upright, multi-stemmed deciduous edible fruit shrub with grey-green ovate-lance shaped leaves. Small white lightly fragrant flowers are produced in early spring followed by edible, oval cylindrical blue-black berry fruits which develop a white bloom when ripe for harvest in early summer.
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Grey Silver | Black Blue White | ||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright
- Genus
Lonicera can be deciduous and evergreen shrubs, or climbers with twining stems. The tubular or two-lipped flowers, often very fragrant, are followed by red or black berries
- Name status
Unresolved
- Plant range
- NE Asia
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in full sun or partial shade in any moist, well-drained soil. Plant two shrubs for cross pollination and fruit set.
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings which can be taken during summer from none-fruiting stems. Hardwood cuttings can be taken in late-autumn winter. Honeyberry is easily propagated by seed; the pulp around the seed needs to be removed before they are sown in moist, warm conditions during the summer. There is no need for any cold stratification of the seed
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Wildlife gardens
- Banks and slopes
- Hedging and screens
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Until established follow Pruning group 1. Thereafter, in late winter reduce stems to a pair of strong buds and cut up to one-fifth of older stems to ground level.
Pests
May be susceptible to honeysuckle aphids, Thrips and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, fungal leaf spot, silver leaf and honey fungus (rarely)
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