Oregon Grape vs Chito 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.

The Chito Haskap is a fruit-bearing shrub with large, tart-sweet berries that are ready for harvest in late June and into July. This shrub blooms in spring with small white flowers, and has medium-firm berries. Their taste is typically described as something between a raspberry and a blueberry.

The Chito Haskap, or Chito Honeyberry exhibits consistently high fruit yields and makes great for fresh eating or adding to jams and jellies.

Chito is a late pollinating variety. Pair with other late pollinators to have a higher yield.
Strawberry Sensation is a great companion variety.

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