Blue Belle Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Sweet Gale - TreeTime.ca

Blue Belle Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Sweet Gale

Lonicera caerulea Blue Belle

Myrica gale

CUSTOM GROW

CUSTOM GROW

Blue Belle Haskap (Honeyberry)
Sweet Gale

Blue Belle Honeyberry is a hardy deciduous shrub. This variety produces larger quantities of bigger berries than the other Haskap varieties. Blue Belle Honeyberry's fruit is perfect for jam and jelly making.

Blue Belle is an early pollinating variety. Pair with other early pollinators to have a higher yield.
Aurora and Tundra are great companion varieties.

Sweet Gale is a native, nitrogen-fixing shrub known for its aromatic foliage. Tiny glands on the leaves release a balmy, bay leaf-like scent with floral and citrus notes. In spring, the yellowish male catkins provide one of the earliest sources of pollen for bees and other insects. While later in the season, the female catkins produce seeds that are eaten by waterfowl. Sweet Gale is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate plants.

Sweet Gale thrives in wet, acidic soils and is commonly found along wetlands and lakeshores. It can help stabilize shorelines, while its dense growth provides valuable cover for wildlife. It is well-suited for naturalization, wetland restoration, and erosion control projects.

Blue Belle Haskap (Honeyberry) Quick Facts

Sweet Gale Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 1b
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright, thicket-forming
Spreading: suckering - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: none


Foliage: dotted with yellow glands, sweet scented
Fall colour: yellow
Bark: reddish-purple, dotted with yellow glands
Berries: smaller berries (0.9 grams) good for making jams or jellies
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: berry smart belle honeyberry, blue belle honeyberry, haskap, honeyberry
Other Names: bog myrtle, meadow-fern, sweet bayberry, sweetgale