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Borealis Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Chester Thornless Blackberry
Lonicera caerulea Borealis
Rubus fruticosa Chester (Thornless)
Borealis Haskap is a popular variety due to its great-tasting, sweet-tart berries. The flavour of Haskaps is generally described as a cross between a blueberry and a raspberry. Borealis Haskaps are well suited to fresh eating, baking, and preserves.
It has strong fruit holds and is not very firm so it does not do well when handled by equipment. This variety is a favourite for home gardens and U-Picks.
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.
Borealis Haskap is an early-pollinating variety and pairs well with Aurora and Honey Bee.
Chester Thornless Blackberry is a self-pollinating fruit-bearing shrub. In mid-summer, the Chester Thornless Blackberry produces large, sweet-tasting, heart-shaped blackberries that are perfect for fresh eating. It is a semi-erect blackberry plant that requires little support from a trellis to keep its fruit off the ground. Don't forget to protect your berries. The birds love this shrub almost as much as you will.
Chester Thornless Blackberries are floricanes, primarily fruiting on second year canes. Each spring cut back all two-year old canes, leaving only the last year’s growth.