Boreal Beauty Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Black Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Boreal Beauty Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Black Elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

Lonicera caerulea Boreal Beauty

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Black Elderberry
Boreal Beauty Haskap (Honeyberry)

Black Elderberry is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. You can plant this shrub in moist areas and it will help stabilize your soil. You can also use it on rural properties anywhere you'd use a lilac.

Black Elderberries are considered to be partially self-pollinating. So while they will still produce some berries without cross-pollination, planting with another variety will increase yields. Consider planting with Ranch Elderberry or Bob Gordon Elderberry.

Warning: the seeds, stems, leaves, roots, and uncooked berries of the Black Elderberry are poisonous to humans when eaten in quantity. You should cook the berries to make them safe for human consumption.

Boreal Beauty Haskap produces sweet/tart berries that have a great flavour. The flavour of Haskaps is generally described as a cross between a blueberry and a raspberry. Boreal Beast Haskaps are well suited to fresh eating, freezing, baking, and preserves.

The berries are heavy, firm, and have a great branch hold. They are firm enough to withstand mechanical harvesting.

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.

Boreal Beauty Haskap is a late-pollinating variety that pairs well with Boreal Beast.

Black Elderberry Quick Facts

Boreal Beauty Haskap (Honeyberry) Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: any
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: leaves, stems, and uncooked berries are poisonous to humans

Bark: gray brownish with rigid bumps
Flowers: fragrant, white and showy
Flowers: pale yellow
Berries: black
Berries: large, purple blue
Flavor: raspberry-blueberry taste
Harvest: late July - mid August
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: american black elderberry, american elderberry, canada elderberry, common elderberry
Other Names: blue honeysuckle, honeyberry