Bracted Honeysuckle vs Porthos Cherry - TreeTime.ca

Bracted Honeysuckle vs Porthos Cherry

Prunus cerasus Porthos

Lonicera involucrata

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Porthos Cherry
Bracted Honeysuckle

Porthos Cherry is a cold-hardy dwarf sour cherry that features white spring flowers followed by large, dark red fruit in mid-to-late summer. Among sour cherries, Porthos is exceptionally sweet with well-balanced acidity. These cherries are ideal for fresh eating, freezing, baking, winemaking, and preserves.

Porthos Cherry was developed by the University of Saskatchewan Fruit Program as part of the Musketeer series and released in 2022. They recommended growing dwarf sour cherries as a shrub rather than a small tree. The shrub form tends to bear fruit earlier and is less susceptible to winterkill.

Sour cherries are self-fertile; however, planting with additional varieties for cross-pollination can increase yields.

Bracted Honeysuckle is a shade loving shrub that is distinguishable from other honeysuckles by its square stem and pointed leaves. Native to most of North America, this honeysuckle is found along swamps, rivers, riparian zones and moist wooded areas.

If you have a erosion control project in mind, consider Bracted Honeysuckle.

Porthos Cherry Quick Facts

Bracted Honeysuckle Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 4a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: any
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Growth form: semi upright, compact
Spreading: suckering - low
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium


Flowers: white
Bloom time: mid to late spring
Fruit: deep red
Berries: shiny, purple-black berries produced in pairs
Flavor: sweet with balanced acidity
Harvest: mid to late summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NU
Other Names: porthos sour cherry
Other Names: bearberry honeysuckle, black twinberry, twinberry