Sweet Gale vs Boreal Bliss Haskap - TreeTime.ca

Sweet Gale vs Boreal Bliss Haskap

Myrica gale

Lonicera caerulea Boreal Bliss

CUSTOM GROW

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Sweet Gale
Boreal Bliss Haskap

Sweet Gale is a native, nitrogen-fixing shrub known for its aromatic foliage. Tiny glands on the leaves release a balmy, bay leaf-like scent with floral and citrus notes. In spring, the yellowish male catkins provide one of the earliest sources of pollen for bees and other insects. While later in the season, the female catkins produce seeds that are eaten by waterfowl. Sweet Gale is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate plants.

Sweet Gale thrives in wet, acidic soils and is commonly found along wetlands and lakeshores. It can help stabilize shorelines, while its dense growth provides valuable cover for wildlife. It is well-suited for naturalization, wetland restoration, and erosion control projects.

Boreal Bliss Haskap is a variety recently released by the University of Saskatchewan. Haskaps generally taste like a cross between a blueberry and a raspberry. The flavour of Boreal Bliss is described as excellent, with a nice aroma and unique aftertaste. For peak flavour, wait about a week after the berries turn blue before harvesting. The berries are well suited to fresh eating, freezing, baking, and preserves.

Boreal Bliss is the first Haskap cultivar to be released with wild Canadian lineage. Its productivity is very good, with bloom and ripening times closely matching Boreal Beast.

For optimal fruit production, cross-pollination is required. Haskaps need to be planted with a compatible variety. Compatibility is influenced by both bloom time and genetics.

Boreal Bliss Haskap is a late-pollinating variety and pairs well with Boreal Beast and Boreal Blizzard

Sweet Gale Quick Facts

Boreal Bliss Haskap Quick Facts

Zone: 1b
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright, thicket-forming
Growth form: upright, and somewhat spreading
Spreading: suckering - medium, seeds - low
Spreading: suckering - none
Maintenance: medium


Foliage: dotted with yellow glands, sweet scented
Fall colour: yellow
Bark: reddish-purple, dotted with yellow glands
Flowers: pale yellow
Bloom time: mid May to early June
Berries: blue, oblong
Flavor: raspberry-blueberry taste
Harvest: mid July to early August
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Other Names: bog myrtle, meadow-fern, sweet bayberry, sweetgale
Other Names: boreal bliss honeyberry