Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm Mountain time
Honey Bee Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Blue Crop Blueberry
Lonicera caerulea Honey Bee
Vaccinium corymbosum Blue Crop
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.
Blue Crop Blueberry is a high yielding, commercial highbush blueberry variety that is widely planted. If you're lucky enough to live in a suitable climate zone, Blue Crop Blueberry is a great choice. Its very large berries taste amazing. They are very firm and store well.
While this variety is self-pollinating, we recommend pairing Blue Crop Blueberry with another Blueberry to increase the berry production of both varieties.
You must prune Blue Crop Blueberry to maintain its health and productivity.
Note: Blueberries require very specific soil conditions. They need well-drained soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.0.