Honey Bee Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Ranch Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Honey Bee Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Ranch Elderberry

Lonicera caerulea Honey Bee

Sambucus canadensis Ranch

Honey Bee Haskap (Honeyberry)
Ranch Elderberry

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.

Ranch Elderberry is a vigorous and high-yielding Black Elderberry cultivar. It ripens earlier than other varieties and is smaller and more compact making berry harvest easier. The berries are well-suited for baked goods, jams, jellies, and syrups. They are high in vitamin C and reported to be beneficial for the immune system.

Black Elderberries are considered to be partially self-pollinating. So while they will still produce some berries without cross-pollination, planting with another variety will increase yields.

Warning: the seeds, stems, leaves, roots, and uncooked berries are toxic to humans when eaten in quantity. Berries should be cooked to make them safe for human consumption.

Honey Bee Haskap (Honeyberry) Quick Facts

Ranch Elderberry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $7.99 - SAVE UP TO 36%
Lowest Price: $12.99 - SAVE UP TO 38%
Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: elongate blue berries ripen in late June. Delicate skinned, tarter than Borealis and Tundra Haskaps
Berries: black
Harvest: late summer to early fall
Flowers: fragrant, white
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium




Toxicity: leaves, stems, and uncooked berries are poisonous to humans
Other Names: american elderberry ranch, american ranch elderberry, ranch american elderberry