Growing Haskap Berries: Planting and Care Guide

Haskap is the traditional name for these unique berries, celebrated for centuries in Japan. Found naturally throughout northern boreal forests, the Lonicera caerulea was proudly adopted by a successful breeding program in Saskatchewan using Japanese parent plants. The name literally translates to "berry of long life and good vision." Also known as edible blue honeysuckle or sweetberry honeysuckle, these shrubs stand out for their easy maintenance, high productivity, and outstanding resistance to extreme winter cold. Truly the ultimate superfood, haskap berries contain up to three times more antioxidants than blueberries!

Planning Your Haskap Shrub Garden

Haskap shrubs feature an upright growth habit and exceptional hardiness, perfect for growing zones 3, 4, and 5. Reaching a mature height of 1.5 m and a spread of about 1 m, they fit beautifully as a low edible hedge, at the back of perennial flowerbeds, or grown in large containers right on your patio or balcony.

In early spring, the shrub produces delicate, trumpet-shaped flowers that always open in pairs, ranging in colour from cream to pale yellow. You will harvest fruits starting from the very first year of planting. These large, plump, oblong blue berries look like elongated blueberries and ripen from late May through June. They offer a delightful sweet yet tangy flavour profile that sits perfectly between a blueberry and a raspberry.

Keep in mind that haskap shrubs require cross-pollination from a different cultivar to set fruit. Plant at least two different varieties that bloom at the same time to guarantee a heavy harvest. To find your ideal match, explore our complete buyers guide to the best haskap berry varieties. If you want to expand your fruit patch, these shrubs propagate very easily from cuttings.

• Exposure: Full sun to light shade
• Soil type: Fertile, moist, and well-drained

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Steps for In-Ground Planting:

Give your new shrub the best start in your garden as soon as nature wakes up in the spring by following these quick instructions.

1. Plan your planting schedule for early spring, as soon as the soil can be worked.
2. Select a garden spot that receives maximum sunshine.
3. Ensure your soil is nutrient-rich, fertile, and drains well.
4. Dig a hole deep enough to set the plant root ball 3 to 5 cm deeper than its original nursery pot level.
5. Amend the planting hole by mixing high-quality soil, rich compost, and a bit of sand to optimize drainage.
6. Prune away any dead or damaged branches prior to planting.
7. Gently spread out the root system at the bottom of the hole.
8. Fill in the hole with your soil mix, pat down firmly, and cover the surface completely.
9. Water deeply immediately after settling the plant.
10. Space your plants 80 cm to 1 m apart to grow a hedge, or 1.5 m apart for flowerbed integration.

Steps for Container Gardening:

Create a beautiful, edible focal point on your patio or balcony by mastering these golden rules for container planting.

1. Choose a sunny spot that provides six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily.
2. Set your containers outside only after all danger of spring frost has passed.
3. Pick a large, dark-coloured container featuring proper drainage holes. Fabric aeration pots, like Smart Pots, make an excellent choice for air-pruning roots.
4. Mix a potting medium consisting of half planting soil and half rich compost.
5. Carefully untangle the outer roots of the plant root ball.
6. Fill the pot with soil, firm gently, and provide a generous first watering.
7. When autumn arrives, leave the shrubs protected in their fabric bags or transplant them directly into the ground for the winter season.

Caring for Your Haskap Shrubs for High Yields

Born for northern climates, haskap shrubs handle harsh winters effortlessly. They show strong natural resistance to pests and diseases, making them incredibly easy to grow and maintain organically season after season.

Watering: Maintain consistent watering habits during the first critical growing year. Allow the top layer of soil to dry out slightly before watering again. Keep the root zone cool, which is especially important for patio container plants where the soil media can dry out rapidly under the hot summer sun.

Mulching: Spread a 5 to 10 cm layer of organic mulch around the base of your shrubs to trap soil moisture and keep the root zone cool.

Fertilization: Apply a moderate top-dressing of well-rotted compost or a natural small fruit fertilizer in spring as buds break open in May, followed by a second light feeding in July after harvesting. Always spread nutrients under the outer branch canopy and keep a safe distance from main stems to avoid fertilizer burn.

Protection: Drape bird netting over your bushes as soon as the berries turn blue to protect your hard-earned harvest from local birds.

Pruning: Do not prune the shrub during the first three years after planting, except to remove broken or dead wood. After this period, prune annually in July immediately after the summer harvest. This timing is essential for northern climates, as early spring pruning cuts off critical fruit-bearing buds formed the previous year.

Follow these three essential pruning steps to maintain top yields:

• Cleaning: Cut away any dead, diseased, broken, or low-creeping wood to protect overall plant health.
• Thinning: Remove weak stems and branches that cross through the center of the bush. Opening the interior canopy increases light penetration and airflow, reducing powdery mildew risks and boosting fruit production.
• Rejuvenation: Cut two to three old, low-yielding branches (identified by dark, peeling bark) straight down to the ground level. This encourages vigorous new shoots to emerge from the crown. Aim to maintain a balance of 10 to 12 strong stems per mature bush.

Diseases and Pests: You might occasionally spot minor powdery mildew, brown spots, or sunburn on leaves. Do not worry, as these do not impact fruit development or ripening. There are no major problematic insect pests affecting this shrub.

Harvesting, Benefits, and Long-Term Storage

For sweet, flavourful berries, wait three to four days after the skin turns completely blue, when the inside flesh develops a deep burgundy hue. Note that haskaps look fully ripe about ten days before they actually reach peak sweetness. Since all berries on the same bush ripen simultaneously and stop ripening once picked, taste-test a few before harvesting the whole shrub.

The haskap berry truly earns its superfood title. It provides an exceptional source of powerful antioxidants (anthocyanins, polyphenols, and bioflavonoids) and is packed with vitamins A and C. It also delivers essential minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, copper, and manganese.

Delicious Ways to Use Your Fruit:

• Enjoy them fresh, right off the bush.
• Blend them into healthy morning smoothies or cook them down into vibrant coulis.
• Bake them into pies, tarts, and cakes, or cook up batches of jams and chutneys.
• Process them into fresh juices or try your hand at artisanal winemaking.

Best Ways to Store Your Harvest Safely:

Keep enjoying your homegrown harvest through the winter months using these straightforward storage methods. If you prepare homemade canned preserves like jams or low-acid chutneys, strictly follow proper boiling water bath sanitization rules. Poor home-canning techniques can lead to food safety risks such as botulism.

Refrigeration: Store fresh berries in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Freezing: Rinse the berries thoroughly and pat them completely dry. Spread them out in a single layer on a large baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer the frozen berries into an airtight storage container or freezer bag.

Dehydration: Toss your haskaps lightly with fresh lemon juice and drain well. Spread them evenly across your dehydrator trays. Dehydrate at 48 °C for a minimum of 6 hours.