Boreal Beast Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Northern Gooseberry - TreeTime.ca

Boreal Beast Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Northern Gooseberry

Ribes oxyacanthoides

Lonicera caerulea Boreal Beast

Northern Gooseberry
Boreal Beast Haskap (Honeyberry)

Northern Gooseberry is a small, ornamental quality native shrub with prickly stems. You can plant it anywhere you'd plant Prickly Rose or Common Wild Rose, such as your yard.

Most people find Northern Gooseberry berries a bit tart for significant fresh eating but they are good for baking, wine or jam.

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.

Northern Gooseberry Quick Facts

Boreal Beast Haskap (Honeyberry) Quick Facts

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Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: none


Flowers: pale yellow
Berries: purple or purplish black
Berries: large, purple blue
Flavor: raspberry-blueberry taste
Harvest: mid - late July
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NL, YT, NT
Other Names: canada gooseberry, canadian gooseberry
Other Names: blue honeysuckle, honeyberry