Boreal Beast Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Oregon Grape - TreeTime.ca

Boreal Beast Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Oregon Grape

Berberis aquifolium (Mahonia aquifolium)

Lonicera caerulea Boreal Beast

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Oregon Grape
Boreal Beast Haskap (Honeyberry)

Oregon Grape is an evergreen shrub native to North America, found along the Pacific coast. In spring, the bright golden-yellow flowers appear in clusters above the leaves. These flowers eventually give way to edible blue berries in late summer. While not a true grape, the berries appear grape-like due to their colouring and clustered growth. They can be eaten fresh, but the sour taste and high amounts of natural pectin make them well suited for preserves.

The Oregon Grape has leaves that are glossy, leathery, and spiny-edged. This feature gives it its alternate name of Holly-leaved Barberry. When the leaves emerge in the spring they are a bronze-red colour. In the summer they transition to green, followed by bright red to deep burgundy in the fall. Leaves are retained throughout the winter and colder temperatures cause the leaves to turn purplish bronze, providing year round interest to the landscape.

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 that pairs well with Boreal Blizzard and Boreal Beauty.

Oregon Grape Quick Facts

Boreal Beast Haskap (Honeyberry) Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: any
Light: shade, partial shade
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: bright red to deep burgundy
Berries: blue to purple, large
Berries: large, purple blue
Flavor: raspberry-blueberry taste
Harvest: mid - late July
Flowers: yellow
Flowers: pale yellow
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Maintenance: medium
Suckering: medium




Other Names: blue honeysuckle, honeyberry