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Blue Banana Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Ranch Elderberry
Lonicera caerulea Blue Banana
Sambucus canadensis Ranch
NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON
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.
Ranch Elderberry is a vigorous and high-yielding Black Elderberry cultivar. It ripens earlier than other varieties and is smaller and more compact making berry harvest easier. The berries are well-suited for baked goods, jams, jellies, and syrups. They are high in vitamin C and reported to be beneficial for the immune system.
Black Elderberries are considered to be partially self-pollinating. So while they will still produce some berries without cross-pollination, planting with another variety will increase yields. Consider planting with Black Elderberry or Bob Gordon Elderberry.
Warning: the seeds, stems, leaves, roots, and uncooked berries are toxic to humans when eaten in quantity. Berries should be cooked to make them safe for human consumption.
Blue Banana Haskap (Honeyberry) Quick Facts
Ranch Elderberry Quick Facts
Toxicity: leaves, stems, and uncooked berries are poisonous to humans