Red Currant vs Borealis Haskap (Honeyberry) - TreeTime.ca

Red Currant vs Borealis Haskap (Honeyberry)

Ribes rubrum

Lonicera caerulea Borealis

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Red Currant
Borealis Haskap (Honeyberry)

Red Currant is a deciduous shrub native to western Europe. It features five-lobed, maple-like leaves, and bright red berries that can be used in jams, sauces, and fresh eating.

Although this shrub is self-fertile, it will be more productive if another pollinator is present. For year over year high yields, ensure you fertilize (bone meal), prune, and mulch your Red Currant shrub.

Borealis Haskap is a popular variety due to its great-tasting, sweet-tart berries. The flavour of Haskaps is generally described as a cross between a blueberry and a raspberry. Borealis Haskaps are well suited to fresh eating, baking, and preserves.

It has strong fruit holds and is not very firm so it does not do well when handled by equipment. This variety is a favourite for home gardens and U-Picks.

Cross-pollination is required for Haskaps to set fruit. They need to be planted with a compatible variety. Compatibility is influenced by both bloom time and genetics.

Borealis Haskap is an early-pollinating variety and pairs well with Aurora and Honey Bee.

Red Currant Quick Facts

Borealis Haskap (Honeyberry) Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: berries are large; berries are similar to blueberries but larger and have a taste between raspberry and blueberry; ready for harvest at the end of June
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: none