Chito Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Illini Hardy Blackberry - TreeTime.ca

Chito Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Illini Hardy Blackberry

Rubus fruticosus Illini Hardy

Lonicera caerulea Chito

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NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Illini Hardy Blackberry
Chito Haskap (Honeyberry)

The Illini Hardy Blackberry was developed in Illinois for northern growers, and produces a large, juicy blackberry with medium-sweet flavor. The berries are ready for harvest in midsummer, and go great in preserves.

The Illini Hardy Blackberry, or the Illinois Blackberry, are floricanes, primarily fruiting on second year canes. Each spring cut back all two-year old canes, leaving only the last year’s growth. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn’t require a second plant nearby to set fruit.

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.

Illini Hardy Blackberry Quick Facts

Chito Haskap (Honeyberry) Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


Flowers: white
Berries: black
Berries: oval
Fruit size: large
Firmness: medium
Flavor: medium
Flavor: tart/sweet
Harvest: July
Harvest: late june/july
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: illinois blackberry
Other Names: chito honeyberry, haskap, honeyberry