Lonicera caerulea var. edulis

RHS Plant Profile

honeyberry

Other common names

edible honeysuckle

Synonyms

Lonicera edulis

Shrubs Fruit Edible

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A winter-flowering, deciduous shrub about 1.2-1.5m tall, with sea-green leaves. Pairs of yellowish-white flowers to 1.5cm long are produced in the leaf axils from early to late winter. Large, edible blue berries with a white bloom, ripen in late spring and early summer, the flesh turning burgundy-red and sweet

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Caprifoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
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: Correct
Plant Range: E Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow this edible shrubby honeysuckle in any well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. See honeysuckle (shrubby) cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed as soon as ripe, semi-ripe cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Wildlife gardens
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Edible fruit
Flower borders and beds
Hedging and screens

Pruning

Pruning group 2. Keep pruning to a minimum for the first three years, then remove weak or damaged stems and relieve congestion by removing some of the older stems back to their base. The remaining young stems can be lightly pruned to encourage sideshoots in early to midsummer, immediately after the harvest.

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)