Phytocultures’ evolving research and procedures have developed and expanded Haskap varieties. We have established a replicated research plot with five varieties and clones in order to further profile their berries under commercial conditions. Our breeding efforts in collaboration with the University of Saskatchewan intend to maximize beneficial properties and production efficiencies by targeting superior hardiness, yield, taste, ease of harvest, and growth performance.
When selecting varieties and quantities, be sure to consider your:
- Scale and type of operation (home gardening, U-Pick, commercial, etc.)
- Intended usage for the berries (processing, freezing, fresh retail, etc.)
- Method of harvesting (handpicking or mechanical harvesting)
- Ratio of pollinators to commercial varieties.
Currently, we have five commercially available Canadian Superior varieties: Aurora, Borealis, Indigo Gem, Indigo Treat, and Tundra. Czech 17 (P17) is our Canadian Recommended Pollinator. Refer to Our Varieties for complete profiles and comparisons.
Indigo Treat
- Sister berry to the Borealis and Tundra varieties of Haskap.
- Berries have a sweet plum flavour when mature with a slightly smoother texture than the Indigo Gem.
- Flat, oval and elongated in shape, weigh on average 1.4 grams
- Firm skin with a dry attachment point; able to withstand some handling without damage.
- Suited to being freshly picked commercially and in-home gardening applications.
- Above-average yield.
- Matures around 4-5 feet with stems and leaves growing peripherally as well as vertically making the plant more robust and semi-erect.
- Flowering duration begins mid-April and continues to mid-June during which a high profusion of flowering occurs.
Indigo Gem
- Sister berry to the Borealis and Tundra varieties.
- Berries have a tangy plum flavour with a sweet essence when mature.
- Robust and oval in shape and weigh on average 1.3 g
- Firm skin with a dry attachment point; able to withstand some handling without damage.
- Suited to being freshly picked commercially and for home gardening applications.
- Matures around 5-6 ft. with stems and leaves growing vigorously outward making the bush wider spread.
- Flowering duration begins the last week of April and continues to the first week of June, during which time a high profusion of flowering occurs.
Indigo Gem is one of the early identified commercial clones. It has a regular uniform shape with a smooth rounded shape. Yield is high and berry flavour is good to excellent.
Borealis
- Rated as having the best flavour among the Haskap varieties.
- Berries have a sweet-tart flavour when mature.
- Oval to round, flat and boxy in shape and weigh on average 1.6 grams.
- Tender skin with a wet attachment point; tend to bleed slightly and become soft or mushy when handled with equipment.
- Best suited for home gardeners and U-pick operations due to above-average yield and fresh taste.
- Plant matures around 4 ft. with stems and leaves growing towards the centre of the bush (more compact).
- Flowering begins mid-May and lasts 3-4 weeks with a high rate of flowering.
Tundra
- Noted as having a top-rated flavour among Haskap varieties.
- Berries have a sweet tangy flavour when mature.
- Smaller, flat, and elongated in shape and weigh on average 1.4g.
- Firm skin that will disintegrate in your mouth.
- Dry attachment point; berries will not bleed from the stem end when picked and are able to withstand harvesting by the equipment.
- Best suited for commercial production and Individually Quick Frozen (IQF) processing because of its firm skin and above average yield.
- Plant matures around 4-5 ft. with stems and leaves growing longer, peripheral and vertical.
- Flowering duration begins mid-May and lasts 3-4 weeks with a variable rate of flowering.
Pollinator: Czech 17 (P-17)
- Also known as Berry Blue, a Russian clone of the edible Honeysuckle, which will pollinate with all Haskap varieties.
- Berries are smaller in size and uniformly elongated.
- Near the end of the season berries become bitter in taste.
- Plant matures around 5-6 ft. with its stems and leaves growing vertical in nature.
- Extended flowering period beginning mid-April and lasting to mid-June.