The haskap berry is an exceptionally generous fruit shrub, but it comes with one strict requirement: it is self-sterile. To see these delicious, oblong blue berries appear in your backyard, you must plant at least two different cultivars. The golden rule? Their blooming periods must overlap perfectly so that local pollinators can do their job.
To help you design the perfect northern orchard, we have grouped the best haskap berry varieties of Lonicera caerulea according to their development cycle: early, mid-season, and late bloomers. Follow our guide to pick the perfect companions based on your taste and available garden space!
Early Varieties: The First Fruits of Summer
These cultivars wake up with the very first warm rays of spring and deliver an early harvest, often by late May or early June. They beat the traditional blueberry season.
Borealis Haskap – Lonicera caerulea 'Borealis'
This essential variety stands out for its excellent winter hardiness and fast growth habit. It yields an abundance of berries that rank among the largest on the market. Its thin skin requires delicate hand-picking.
- Flavour profile: Very sweet, mild, and juicy, closely mimicking wild blueberries with a subtle hint of raspberry.
- Best use: In-ground planting (perfect for fresh eating and home u-pick patches).
- Height: 1.5 m
- Width: 1.5 m
- Compatibility: Pairs beautifully with Aurora, Berry Blue, or Honey Bee.
Berry Blue Haskap – Lonicera caerulea 'Berry Blue'
Celebrated for its outstanding vigour, this strong-growing shrub serves as an excellent universal pollinator for both early and mid-season groups. It produces a massive quantity of flowers that attract local bumblebees.
- Flavour profile: Tart and tangy, offering a vibrant plum and cranberry flavour that deepens beautifully when cooked.
- Best use: In-ground planting (an exceptional choice for an edible privacy or windbreak hedge).
- Height: 1.5 m to 1.8 m
- Width: 1.2 m to 1.5 m
- Compatibility: Ideal for pollinating Borealis and Indigo Gem.
Indigo Treat Haskap – Lonicera caerulea 'Indigo Treat'
Developed by the renowned University of Saskatchewan breeding program, this cultivar offers firm berries that hold well on the branches when ripe, making hand-harvesting a breeze.
- Flavour profile: Balanced and refreshing, combining a pleasant sweetness with a crisp blackberry-like finish.
- Best use: In-ground planting or large container gardening (highly versatile for family orchards).
- Height: 1.2 m to 1.5 m
- Width: 1.2 m
- Compatibility: Pairs very well with Aurora and Honey Bee.
Mid-Season Varieties: The Perfect Balance
These haskap shrubs bloom during mid-spring. They form the most versatile group since their blooming windows are long enough to cross over with early or late cultivars, acting as reliable pollination bridges.
Aurora Haskap – Lonicera caerulea 'Aurora'
Considered by many horticultural experts to be one of the finest varieties available, Aurora combines phenomenal productivity with easy harvesting traits, as the large berries pop off the stem cleanly without tearing.
- Flavour profile: Outstanding, rich, and intensely sweet, perfectly balanced by a gentle fruity tartness. A fresh table favourite.
- Best use: In-ground planting (the absolute top-performing cultivar for commercial or backyard orchards).
- Height: 1.5 m to 1.8 m
- Width: 1.2 m to 1.5 m
- Compatibility: The ultimate universal partner. It loves the company of Borealis, Indigo Gem, and Boreal Beast.
Indigo Gem Haskap – Lonicera caerulea 'Indigo Gem'
This cultivar is a true fruit factory. Highly productive, it is loaded with medium-sized berries that feature a pleasantly firm texture. Its compact shape makes it a smart choice for optimizing small spaces.
- Flavour profile: Smooth and pleasantly sweet, reminiscent of black plums with a rich, almost jammy texture on the palate.
- Best use: Container gardening or flowerbeds (ideal for tight urban yards, balconies, or patios).
- Height: 1.2 m to 1.5 m
- Width: 1.2 m
- Compatibility: Delivers spectacular yields alongside Aurora or Honey Bee.
Honey Bee Haskap – Lonicera caerulea 'Honey Bee'
Bred specifically to be an outstanding pollination partner, this fast-growing shrub features a long bloom time. Its rigid stems support cylindrical berries that stay on the plant for a long time.
- Flavour profile: Sharp, zesty, and tangy, featuring a bright fruity undertone that mellows beautifully when left to sun-ripen.
- Best use: In-ground planting (an absolute must-have as a pollination anchor in any fruit hedge row).
- Height: 1.5 m to 1.8 m
- Width: 1.2 m
- Compatibility: An excellent companion for Borealis, Aurora, and the Indigo series.
Blue Banana Haskap – Lonicera caerulea 'Blue Banana'
True to its name, this unique variety produces long, slightly curved berries. The vigorous shrub yields consistently season after season.
- Flavour profile: Highly aromatic and fruity, showcasing unique wild berry flavours with a soft, sweet finish.
- Best use: In-ground planting (integrates beautifully into edible backyard landscaping designs).
- Height: 1.5 m
- Width: 1.2 m to 1.5 m
- Compatibility: Integrates beautifully with Aurora and Honey Bee.
Late Varieties: Extending Your Harvest Season
These new-generation haskap shrubs open their flowers later in the spring, escaping late frost risks. Their fruits ripen in July, extending your picking season by several weeks.
Boreal Beast Haskap – Lonicera caerulea 'Boreal Beast'
This sturdy cultivar was selected for its strong branch structure and remarkably firm fruit texture. It was explicitly designed to form the ultimate power couple with Boreal Beauty.
- Flavour profile: Rich, bold, and complex, with a perfect sugar-to-acid balance that tastes like ripe black currants.
- Best use: In-ground planting (withstands windy sites perfectly due to its stocky, sturdy stems).
- Height: 1.5 m
- Width: 1.2 m to 1.5 m
- Compatibility: Best planted with Boreal Beauty, though it also functions very well with Aurora.
Boreal Beauty Haskap – Lonicera caerulea 'Boreal Beauty'
A true gem for the home gardener. The shrub grows with an upright habit, preventing branches from sagging under the heavy fruit load. Its thick, oval-shaped berries do not drop easily when ripe.
- Flavour profile: Soft, sweet-tart, and satisfyingly crunchy. The exceptional firmness offers great texture and bite.
- Best use: In-ground planting (ideal for mid-to-late summer fresh picking and home canning).
- Height: 1.5 m
- Width: 1.2 m
- Compatibility: Must be planted alongside Boreal Beast to achieve successful pollination.
Yezberry Solo Haskap – Lonicera caerulea Yezberry® 'Solo'™
Hailing from pure Japanese selection lines, this low-maintenance variety stands out for its high ornamental value, featuring winter-hardy, dense green foliage. It adapts flawlessly to container life.
- Flavour profile: Soft, delicate, and entirely bitterness-free, offering a fine, sugary fruit flavour that kids love.
- Best use: Container gardening (the absolute number-one choice for balconies, decks, and compact urban patios).
- Height: 1.5 m to 1.8 m
- Width: 1.2 m
- Compatibility: Will produce much larger berries when paired near another Yezberry selection or a mid-season variety like Aurora.
How to Mix and Match Your Varieties
To plan your garden layout efficiently and get the most out of your fruit patch, follow these easy combination ideas:
- The Classic Power Couple: Pair Borealis with Aurora to get a massive yield of huge, sweet berries early in June.
- The Late-Season Duo: Match Boreal Beast and Boreal Beauty to keep your fresh harvests going strong well into mid-summer.
- The Patio Royalty: Select Yezberry Solo for easy, high-yielding container growing on your deck.
To master all the best planting methods, soil preparation steps, and annual maintenance routines, check out our complete guide to growing and caring for haskap berries.
