"Indigo Gem" Honeyberry / Haskap

Indigo gem has the highest sugar content of all honeyberry varieties, with a strong tartness which makes it an exceptional choice for baking. Honeyberries, also known as haskaps, are one of the earliest berries to ripen in the spring. Around the end of March to the first of April, expect leaf break and gorgeous yellow bell shaped flowers which will mature to dark purple elongated fruit with a tubular appearance.

They taste like something between a wild blueberry and a raspberry, and are a nutritional powerhouse containing tremendous amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, and an extremely high ability to absorb free radicals, molecules responsible for causing oxidative stress and eventually cancer. This is measured by its ORAC value, with honey berries ranking 2nd highest of all fruits and berries only behind elderberry. Delicious for fresh eating, preserves, jams and jellies, juices, and just adding to yogurt or smoothies. Requires a pollinator such as Aurora.

Quick Facts:

• Flavor Notes: Wild blueberry mixed with raspberry, tart with a 17.7% sugar content
• Maintenance: None
• Zones: 2-8
• Height: 5-6ft
• Spread: 4-5ft
• Spreading habit: Upright, no self spreading
• Sun: Full sun to partial shade
• Soil: Acidic soil may be preferred but will thrive in most soils
• Self-Pollination: Pollinator required