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Honey Bee Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Festival Raspberry
Lonicera caerulea Honey Bee
Rubus sp. Festival
NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON
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.
The Festival Raspberry is a large, bright-red and sweet berry. These firm berries are great for fresh eating and they typically fruit both in the summer and fall.
The Festival Raspberry is a thornless primocane variety, meaning that it produces fruit on first years' growth. Prune stalks each winter or early spring to get higher fruit yields and easier harvesting.