Berry Blue Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Northern Bayberry - TreeTime.ca

Berry Blue Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Northern Bayberry

Lonicera caerulea Berry Blue

Myrica pensylvanica

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Berry Blue Haskap (Honeyberry)
Northern Bayberry

Berry Blue Honeyberry is a hardy deciduous shrub. Its fruit is deliciously tart and perfect for fresh eating or production.
Berry Blue is an early pollinating variety. Pair with other early pollinators to have a higher yield.
Aurora is a great companion variety.

Haskap is the Japanese name for these berries and this term has been adopted for the University of Saskatchewan varieties. In other areas they are more commonly known as Honeyberry which is why we call this Eastern European variety Honeyberry.

Northern Bayberry makes an excellent hedge or feature shrub. It will retain its leaves in warmer climates but drops them in colder areas. They produce blue-grey berries that have a wax coating on them that can be used to make candles or soaps.

In colder hardiness zones the leaves turn an attractive orange to red colour in the fall, making it a striking addition to your landscape.

Northern Bayberry is native to Nova Scotia and tolerates both drought and wet conditions. It is also a nitrogen fixer that tolerates poor soil conditions.

Berry Blue Haskap (Honeyberry) Quick Facts

Northern Bayberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: long
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium


Toxicity: Warning: The wax from bayberry fruit is considered toxic and may be carcinogenic.
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
Berries: blue-gray
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Other Names: berry blue honeyberry, berry smart blue honeyberry, haskap, honeyberry
Other Names: candlewood, myrique de pennsylvanie, small waxberry, swamp candleberry, tallow bayberry, tallow shrub, tallow tree, tallowshrub