Blue Banana Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Mountain Huckleberry - TreeTime.ca

Blue Banana Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Mountain Huckleberry

Vaccinium membranaceum

Lonicera caerulea Blue Banana

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Mountain Huckleberry
Blue Banana Haskap (Honeyberry)

Mountain Huckleberry is a small shrub known for its tart to sweet berries. The berries range from purple-black to red-black, and can be eaten fresh or used in jams and syrups. It is a plant native to Alberta and the berries are frequently enjoyed by both people and wildlife.

In traditional Indigenous fire management practices, berry patches were burned after harvest. This would reduce the invasion of other plants allowing the Mountain Huckleberry to thrive. Its foliage has low flammability and can survive low severity fires, and even if destroyed they regrow from the roots.

Note: Mountain Huckleberry requires specific soil conditions. They need moist, well-drained, acidic soil with a pH around 5.5.

The Blue Banana Haskap is a fruit-bearing shrub that produces medium-sized oval berries that are quite sweet. Their taste is typically described as something between a raspberry and a blueberry. Its small white flowers bloom in April, with harvest time being mid-June to mid-July. The berries are juicy, and are great for fresh eating and using in preserves.

The Blue Banana Haskap, or Blue Banana Honeyberry is a cold-hardy cultivar.

Blue Banana is a late pollinating variety. Pair with other late pollinators to have a higher yield.
Blue Stuart is a great companion variety.

Mountain Huckleberry Quick Facts

Blue Banana Haskap (Honeyberry) Quick Facts

Zone: 5a
Zone: 2a
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Moisture: any
Moisture: any
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: dark purple
Berries: blue, oval
Flavor: sweet, acidic
Flavor: sweet
Harvest: mid to late summer
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: none




Other Names: big huckleberry, black huckleberry, tall bilberry, thinleaf huckleberry
Other Names: blue banana honeyberry