With many cultivars originating from Russia and Japan, these deciduous shrubs are regionally suited to throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere as their native habitat is the Boreal Region. Due to their incredible frost tolerance and extreme hardiness, Haskap plants have the potential to thrive in most Canadian regions as well as the northern part of the United States. Specifically, they can grow in plant hardiness zones of 1a and warmer. It has been reported that shrubs can resist temperatures of -46°C and flowers can survive freezing temperatures of -3 to -5 degrees.
Haskap cultivars developed by the University of Saskatchewan and undergoing breeding by Phytocultures are highly adapted to North American climates and soil types and are tolerant of high humidity conditions in the Maritimes. We have received positive reports from growers with plantations in various regions, including eastern Newfoundland and the southern region of James Bay in Northern Ontario.
When selecting your specific plantation site, it is important to consider:
- Soil type. Haskap are tolerant of marginal soils but excel as quality and fertility improve. We highly recommend conducting a soil test analysis prior to planting.
- Soil drainage. Choose a site with proper drainage and avoid areas with deep compaction layers.
- Airflow. Avoid areas with high winds. Plants are tolerant to cold temperatures but could be damaged by direct winter winds so some degree of shelter is beneficial.
Proper site selection and preparation is essential to establishing a productive and profitable Haskap plot. After selecting the ideal site, the preparation process should include clearing the land and eliminating perennial weeds, amending the soil (if necessary), installing any required drainage systems, and setting up planting beds.