The Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea), often referred to as the blue honeysuckle or haskap, is rapidly becoming a favourite among British gardeners. Originating from Siberia and Northern Japan, these robust bushes are exceptionally hardy, making them perfectly suited to the British climate and landscape. Unlike some Mediterranean crops that struggle with our damp springs and cool summers, Honeyberries thrive in these conditions, offering a delicious harvest of antioxidant-rich berries that taste like a cross between a blueberry, a raspberry, and a blackberry.

Selecting the Right Varieties for the UK

When choosing which Honeyberry bush to grow, the most critical factor is pollination. Honeyberries are not self-fertile. To ensure a bumper crop, you must plant at least two different varieties that flower at the same time. If you only plant one, you will get flowers but no fruit. It is generally best to mix varieties to improve cross-pollination and extend your harvest window.

Here are some top-performing varieties for British gardens:

• Aurora: Often cited as the best-tasting variety, Aurora produces large, sweet berries and yields heavily. It pairs well with 'Honeybee' or 'Borealis' for pollination.
• Honeybee: Specifically bred as a pollinator for Aurora and Borealis, this variety is incredibly productive. The fruit is slightly tarter, making it excellent for jams and baking.
• Borealis: Known for having the largest and softest berries with a very sweet flavour. Because the skin is delicate, it is best grown for home consumption rather than storage.
• Berry Blue: An older, vigorous variety that grows quickly. It is often used as a universal pollinator for many early-flowering varieties.

When Do They Flower and Fruit?

One of the main appeals of the Honeyberry is its earliness. In the UK, the plant typically breaks dormancy very early in the year. You can expect to see small, trumpet-shaped yellowish-white flowers appearing in March or early April. These blooms are incredibly frost-tolerant, capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -7°C, which is a significant advantage during unpredictable British springs.

Following the flowers, the fruit ripens earlier than almost any other soft fruit. You will typically be harvesting Honeyberries in June, often weeks before the first strawberries or blueberries are ready. This makes them an excellent gap-bridger in the "hungry gap" of the fruit gardening calendar.

How to Grow and Position

Honeyberries are unfussy plants. They prefer a sunny spot but, unlike blueberries, they are tolerant of partial shade—a useful trait for smaller UK gardens. They require well-drained soil that retains some moisture. While they prefer a slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5–7.5), they are nowhere near as demanding as blueberries and will grow happily in most standard garden soils.

To plant, ensure you incorporate plenty of organic matter into the soil. Mulch annually with well-rotted manure or compost to keep the roots cool and moist, mimicking their natural woodland edge habitat. They require very little pruning in the first few years; simply remove any dead or damaged wood to maintain plant health.

Growing in Planters on the Patio

Honeyberries are exceptionally well-suited to container gardening, making them ideal for urban patios or paved courtyards. Because they have a relatively shallow, fibrous root system, they thrive in pots as long as they are kept well-watered. Growing them in containers also allows you to move them into the sunniest spots during the ripening period to sweeten the fruit.

When selecting a container, ensure it offers good drainage and enough volume for the roots to establish over several years.

For a contemporary, architectural look, zinc square planters are a fantastic choice. Available in finishes such as matte black, matte grey, white, matte copper, or gloss black, these durable planters provide a sleek contrast to the soft green foliage of the bush.

If your garden style leans towards the traditional or cottage aesthetic, up to 60cm wood square planters, available in natural wood, black, or grey, offer a classic timber look that blends beautifully with garden decking. For those with larger mature bushes who want a truly rustic feature, 65cm to 90cm diameter rustic whisky barrels are ideal. Whether you choose faded silver rings, rustic rings, or painted black rings, the substantial depth of a barrel provides ample room for the Honeyberry to mature and produce heavy crops for years to come.