Boreal Beast Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Black Hawthorn - TreeTime.ca

Boreal Beast Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Black Hawthorn

Lonicera caerulea Boreal Beast

Crataegus douglasii

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Boreal Beast Haskap (Honeyberry)
Black Hawthorn

Boreal Beast Haskap produces sweet/tart berries that have an excellent 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.

They have firmer berries that tend to remain on the bush for longer when compared to other varieties.

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

Black Hawthorn is a versatile plant that is native to wetlands and other areas with moist soils, but can also tolerate dry soils. This plant can be grown as a short shrub, or a tree reaching 30 feet tall.

Black Hawthorn is valued for erosion control and attracting pollinators. It also makes an attractive flowering ornamental that can be planted as a specimen or pruned as a hedge. It is commonly used in shelterbelts.

Boreal Beast Haskap (Honeyberry) Quick Facts

Black Hawthorn Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: any
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium


Foliage: contains thorns
Fall colour: yellow to red
Bark: brown to gray
Flowers: pale yellow
Flowers: white
Berries: large, purple blue
Berries: purplish-black pomes
Flavor: raspberry-blueberry taste
Harvest: mid - late July
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, ON
Other Names: boreal beast honeyberry, haskap, honeyberry
Other Names: crataegus columbiana, douglas hawthorn, douglas' thornapple