Lonicera caerulea

Honingbes / Honeyberry

Caprifoliaceae (Kamperfoeliefamilie)

Asia (east), Europe (whole)

Back View cultivars and rootstocks

Edible plant part (1)

Fruits
Read 'form of consumption' for safe preparation methods

Toxic plant part (1)

None

Honeyberry belongs to the small shrubs in the food forest. In the process of ecological succession it is a mid species. The growth rate is slow. Fully grown the plant has an average height of 1.5 meter. and a width of 1.5 meter.
The foliage (or leaf cover) is dense. It loses its leaves in september.
This species forms a fibrous shallow root system. This species is non spreading in the food forest. Honeyberry is no nitrogen fixer.

Disclaimer: The types of cultivars and hybrids in this database have been carefully chosen for good quality properties for food forests. They do not mean instant success. Food forestry is still a young field in which it is a core value to have the right plant in the right place and to focus on great diversity.

foto: Agnieszka Kwiecień, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lonicera_caerulea_subsp._edulis_2018-04-15_02.jpg

foto: Agnieszka Kwiecień, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lonicera_caerulea_subsp._edulis_2018-04-15_02.jpg

foto: karen_hine, https://www.flickr.com/photos/55620187@N05/18628059278

foto: Evelyn Derksen

foto: Evelyn Derksen

Growth factors

Frost (whole plant): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Frost (flowers): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Light: full sun

light shade

half shade

fairly deep shade

deep shade
Wind: strong sea wind

strong wind

some wind

sheltered

very sheltered
Soil texture: sand

loam

light clay

heavy clay

peat
Soil moisture: inundation

wet

moist

dry

drought
Groundwater level: very low

low

medium

high

very high
Soil acidity: very acid

acid

neutral

alkaline

very alkaline
Soil fertility: very rich

rich

average

poor

very poor

Voorkeur

Ongeschikt

Flowering and pollination

Flowering period (peak): early february, mid february, end of february, early march, mid march
Flowering period (length): month, several weeks
Pollination vector: insects
Plant reproductive fertility: self sterile

Life Span and Plant Health

Disease susceptibility

resistant

Main serious pests and diseases

none

Harvest and Consumption

Fruits

Harvest location edible part: Ground layer, knee height
Harvesting period - start: Early may, mid may, end of may, early june, mid june, end of june
Harvesting period - length: Several weeks
Harvesting period - recognition: Difficult, dropping
Harvesting period - uniformity: High
Suitable harvesting methods: Hand, mechanical
Ease of removal - edible parts: Easy
Form of consumption: Fresh, processed
Natural storability: Several days, several weeks
Nutritional value - relatively high: Vitamins
Suitable markets: Niche
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 2
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 3
Productive life span - start (year) - maximum: 3
Productive life span - peak (year) - minimum: 2
Productive life span - peak (year) - minimum: 7
Productive life span - peak (year) - maximum: 5
Productive life span - peak (year) - maximum: 8
Productive life span - end (year) - minimum: 25
Productive life span - end (year) - maximum: 30
Productivity - start (kg) - minimum: 2
Productivity - start (kg) - maximum: 5

Culinary appreciation

Often compared to blueberries but considered the spring alternative to them. Rich in vitamins and appreciated as one of the first fruits of the season, along with strawberries.

References