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

Boreal Beast Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Northern Bayberry

Lonicera caerulea Boreal Beast

Myrica pensylvanica

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Boreal Beast Haskap (Honeyberry)
Northern Bayberry

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.

Northern Bayberry makes an excellent hedge or feature shrub. It will retain its leaves in warmer climates but drops them in colder areas. They produce blue-grey berries that have a wax coating on them that can be used to make candles or soaps.

In colder hardiness zones the leaves turn an attractive orange to red colour in the fall, making it a striking addition to your landscape.

Northern Bayberry is native to Nova Scotia and tolerates both drought and wet conditions. It is also a nitrogen fixer that tolerates poor soil conditions.

Boreal Beast Haskap (Honeyberry) Quick Facts

Northern Bayberry Quick Facts

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


Toxicity: Warning: The wax from bayberry fruit is considered toxic and may be carcinogenic.
Flowers: pale yellow
Berries: large, purple blue
Berries: blue-gray
Flavor: raspberry-blueberry taste
Harvest: mid - late July
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes


Native to: ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, PE
Other Names: boreal beast honeyberry, haskap, honeyberry
Other Names: candlewood, myrique de pennsylvanie, small waxberry, swamp candleberry, tallow bayberry, tallow shrub, tallow tree, tallowshrub