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Kawai Haskap (Honeyberry) vs Mountain Huckleberry
Lonicera caerulea Kawai
Vaccinium membranaceum
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NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON
The Kawai Haskap is a compact fruit-bearing shrub that blooms with small white flowers in early spring and then fruits with medium-sized, oval shaped berries in late June and July. Their taste is usually described as something between a raspberry and a blueberry. The berries are blue and sweet and are great for fresh eating or preserves.
The Kawai Haskap, or Kawai Honeyberry is cold-hardy and is suitable for urban gardens.
Kawai is a late pollinating variety. Pair with other late pollinators to have a higher yield.
Giants Heart Haskap is a great companion variety for the Kawaii.
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.