Honey Bee Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Aronia Berry - TreeTime.ca

Honey Bee Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Aronia Berry

Aronia melanocarpa

Lonicera caerulea Honey Bee

Aronia Berry
Honey Bee Haskap (Honeyberry)

Aronia Berry produces black fruit that is often considered too astringent. This is why they are also referred to as Black Chokeberry. It is native to Eastern Canada and the Eastern United States. White to pink flowers appear in the spring which provides a nice contrast to the dark green foliage. In fall the leaves turn a vibrant orange to red.

It has a fast growth rate, strong roots, and can tolerate growing in wet soils. This makes it well suited for various projects including forming hedges, bank stabilization, erosion control, and in wetter riparian areas. They are also well suited as an understory plant as it grows well under other trees.

Aronia berries have their own unique flavour. The polyphenols and anthocyanins are touted as healthy antioxidants and lots of research seems to be underway on the health benefits of this fruit.

Honey Bee Haskap produces tarter fruit than the Aurora and Borealis varieties and is known for bearing fruit at a younger age. The flavour of Haskaps is generally described as a cross between a blueberry and a raspberry. Honey Bee Haskaps are well suited to fresh eating, freezing, baking, and preserves.

The Honey Bee Haskap has stronger fruit holds than other varieties so the berries stay on the bush longer. The berries do not roll well so they are not recommended for mechanical harvesting.

For optimal fruit production, cross-pollination is required. Haskaps need to be planted with a compatible variety. Compatibility is influenced by both bloom time and genetics.

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

Aronia Berry Quick Facts

Honey Bee Haskap (Honeyberry) Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $3.49 - SAVE UP TO 30%
Lowest Price: $5.99 - SAVE UP TO 36%
Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: red to orange color
Berries: elongate blue berries ripen in late June. Delicate skinned, tarter than Borealis and Tundra Haskaps
Flowers: whitish-pink
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none




Other Names: black choke berry, black chokeberry