Chito Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Black Crowberry - TreeTime.ca

Chito Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Black Crowberry

Lonicera caerulea Chito

Empetrum nigrum

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

CUSTOM GROW

Chito Haskap (Honeyberry)
Black Crowberry

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.

Black Crowberry is a native evergreen shrub that forms low, spreading mats. It has unique foliage that spiral around the stem, and small dark berries, giving it visual appeal. The berries are edible, but can be acidic, so are not generally eaten fresh. In colder climates they have a sweet, tart taste, and are dried, used in deserts, or for making jams or jellies.
It provides food for birds and mammals, while its flowers attract pollinators such as bees. Its ability to grow in harsh climates makes it an important species for ecological balance.
Black Crowberry has historical significance as it provided a vital food source for the indigenous cultures of the arctic regions. It is abundant in Scandinavia and is used to make liqueurs, wines, and juices. In Newfoundland and Labrador the berries are known locally as ‘blackberries’ and are used in jams, jellies and baked goods like buns and puddings.

Chito Haskap (Honeyberry) Quick Facts

Black Crowberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Height: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 0.4 m (1.3 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: any
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: low growing, matt-forming
Spreading: rhizomes - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: none


Foliage: evergreen needle-like leaves
Flowers: white
Flowers: pink-red, very small
Bloom time: late spring to early summer
Berries: oval
Berries: purplish-black, edible
Fruit size: large
Firmness: medium
Flavor: tart/sweet
Flavor: bland, slightly bitter
Harvest: late june/july
Harvest: late summer to fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU
Other Names: blue stuart honeyberry
Other Names: crakeberry, curlewberry, heathberry, northern crowberry