Indigo Gem Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Western Snowberry - TreeTime.ca

Indigo Gem Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Western Snowberry

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

Lonicera caerulea Indigo Gem

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Western Snowberry
Indigo Gem Haskap (Honeyberry)

Like the Common Snowberry, the Western Snowberry is a small shrub with pink flowers useful for feeding livestock and preventing erosion. Unlike the common species, however, the Western Snowberry is much more suited to wet conditions, capable of persevering through poor soil drainage and occasional flooding.

After the Snowberry's flowers have bloomed, it produces berries which often last on the plant through winter. These berries are toxic to humans, but livestock and local wildlife love them! Those hoping to attract wildlife to their property can plant Snowberry and expect to see animals foraging on it much later in the year than other plants.

Indigo Gem Haskap produces firm, sweet/tangy berries. The flavour of Haskaps is generally described as a cross between a blueberry and a raspberry. Indigo Gem Haskaps are well suited to fresh eating, freezing, baking, and preserves.

The fruit is similar in size and firmness to the Tundra variety, making it suitable for commercial production or your home garden.

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.

Indigo Gem Haskap is an early-pollinating variety that pairs well with Aurora and Honey Bee.

Western Snowberry Quick Facts

Indigo Gem Haskap (Honeyberry) Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: none

Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans

Flowers: pinkish white
Berries: small, white, poisonous to humans
Berries: elongated berries, firm and great tasting (sweet tangy)
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, NT
Other Names: buckbrush, wolfberry
Other Names: haskap, haskap sk 9-15, honeyberry, indigo gem honeyberry