Haskap – scientifically known as Lonicera caerulea L or commonly as Northern Blue Honeysuckle, Edible Honeysuckle, Honeyberries, or Camerises in French – offer an exciting new opportunity for the commercial development of an extremely winter tolerant, frost hardy, and easy-to-grow plant that produces early season, antioxidant rich, tasty berries. Thanks to our advanced research and development, Phytocultures’ varieties in particular intend to maximize the beneficial properties and production efficiencies for growers.
Since 2006 a research team at the University of Saskatchewan has been conducting extensive research and development on this exciting new crop for North America. Phytocultures has since been specializing in Haskap genetics and propagation. In 2008, we established a research plot to further profile and expand varieties, refine production and management techniques, and improve harvest technology.
We welcome you to visit our research site to judge for yourself the commercial opportunities these berries present. As a leader in the field, we offer the highest quality plants and insight into advanced production techniques so you too can become part of the emerging Haskap industry.
Quick Facts:
- Easy to grow and widely adaptable to all soil types, including clay and sand, and tolerate pH levels ranging from 4.5 to 8.5.
- Grow in plant hardiness zones 1a and warmer and are extremely cold/winter hardy and frost tolerant (to -40°C!).
- Varieties tailored to cold North American and Maritime climates with new varieties under development in Canada.
- Flowers are ideal for native pollinators and are also frost tolerant.
- One of the first spring fruits available to market, ripening early to mid June.
- Offer economic advantages as a sister crop by diversifying and extending the berry season while optimizing infrastructure, labour, and equipment.
- Naturally pest and disease resistant, have low fertility requirements, and highly suited to organic production.
- Huge market potential as a superfruit with many opportunities for value-adding in culinary and medicinal industries.
- Exceptional nutritional properties, including higher antioxidant content than blueberries.