Indigo Treat Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Black Crowberry - TreeTime.ca

Indigo Treat Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Black Crowberry

Empetrum nigrum

Lonicera caerulea Indigo Treat

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Black Crowberry
Indigo Treat Haskap (Honeyberry)

Black Crowberry is a native evergreen shrub that forms low, spreading mats. It has unique foliage that spirals around the stem, and small dark berries, giving it visual appeal. The berries are edible, but can be acidic, so they are not generally eaten fresh. In colder climates, the berries develop a sweet-tart flavor and are often dried or used in desserts, jams, and jellies.

This hardy shrub provides food for birds and mammals, while its flowers attract pollinators such as bees. It also serves as a host plant for certain butterflies and moths. Together, these roles make it a key contributor to the health of tundra and boreal ecosystems.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the berries are known locally as ‘blackberries’ and are enjoyed in jams, jellies, and traditional baked goods such as buns and puddings. In Scandinavia, they continue to be used in liqueurs, wines, and juices.

Indigo Treat has fruit similar in size and firmness to their Tundra variety, making it suitable for commercial production or your home garden.

Indigo Treat, like the Borealis Haskap, does not self-pollinate well. We recommend another variety, such as Honeybee or Berry Blue Honeyberry, be planted at a minimum 1:8 ratio with it to boost fruit production. Many experts suggest the highest Haskap yield comes from fields planted with the most varieties.

Due to stronger interest in newer cultivars, 2015 will be our last year selling Indigo Treat.

Black Crowberry Quick Facts

Indigo Treat Haskap (Honeyberry) Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 0.4 m (1.3 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Growth form: low growing, matt-forming
Spreading: rhizomes - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: none


Foliage: evergreen needle-like leaves
Flowers: pink-red, very small
Bloom time: late spring to early summer
Berries: purplish-black, edible
Berries: elongated berries are large, firm and great tasting (sweet tangy)
Flavor: bland, slightly bitter
Harvest: late summer to fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU
Other Names: crakeberry, curlewberry, heathberry, northern crowberry
Other Names: haskap sk 9-91