lonicera caerulea: haskap (blue) honeysuckle

Something funny going on with the underline function today, but anyway...

Here is one of my blue honeysuckles that I planted last year.  They are very new (just released in 2007, I think, and I got 2 small rooted cuttings last year) and I am thrilled they are growing and already blooming. The shrub itself as well as the flowers are supposed to be very hardy (zone 2) so therefore perfect for the prairies.  They are being promoted as a substitute for blueberries (which don't do well here because they don't like our alkaline soil), are supposed to taste similar but not as sweet, and are similar in colour but much more oblong in shape.

I won't hold my breath for fruit this year since the plants are so small, but since they flower so early, they usually produce fruit in June, much sooner than cherries and other berries here.  Can't wait!

Comments

[Cassandra]

What varieties did you plant? Some of the newer ones are supposed to be really good. I'll be looking forward to hearing your opinion of them.

[Janice]

My pre-blog record-keeping was not very disciplined, but I'm pretty sure I got one Polar Night and one Polar Jewel. You are supposed to have two different varieties because they need to cross-pollinate, but only one of mine has started to bloom at this time. Hopefully this means that they are, in fact, different varieties!!
Janice