Lonicera caerulea 'Aurora' - 'Aurora' Haskap (Honeyberry)

Choose the 'Aurora' Honeyberry, a must-have variety recognized as one of the tastiest and most productive on the market! This vigorous shrub yields an abundance of giant, sweet berries that are easy to pick thanks to their clean release from the stem. Exceptionally hardy and highly disease-resistant, 'Aurora' stands out as a premier choice to maximize your harvest and enjoy delicious fruit straight from your backyard.

The Harvest: Yield and Flavours

The 'Aurora' Honeyberry distinguishes itself through remarkable productivity and impressively large fruit that ripens in mid-season. Its easy picking and superior flavour profile make it a top favorite among home gardeners.

• Harvest Period: Late June to early July (mid-season)
• Visual Description: Giant, elongated, and plump berries, sporting a deep blue-violet color covered in a delicate bloom. The flesh remains firm and meaty.
• Flavour Profile: Exceptionally sweet and mild, with a perfectly balanced touch of tartness. It delivers rich aromas reminiscent of an exquisite blend of blueberry and raspberry.
• Culinary Uses: Enjoy them fresh for a nutritious snack, or transform them into jams, pies, syrups, and smoothies. Their excellent firmness makes them easy to freeze for your winter pantry.

   

Planting Guide

To ensure the success of your 'Aurora' honeyberry, follow these key steps:

1. The Ideal Location: Plant your 'Aurora' in full sun to stimulate maximum fruiting and enhance the sweet flavour of the berries. It also adapts to light partial shade, though the yield may be slightly lower. Choose a well-ventilated spot.
2. Soil Preparation: This cultivar thrives in loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. It tolerates a wide variety of soils but prefers a neutral to slightly acidic pH (6.0 to 7.5). Incorporate a generous amount of compost into your native soil.
3. Planting: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball. Position the plant so that the crown sits flush with the soil surface. Fill the hole with your amended soil blend, then tamp down gently to eliminate air pockets. Space plants about 1.2 to 1.5 metres (4 to 5 feet) apart.
4. Pollination:
   • Type: Requires cross-pollination. 'Aurora' needs another compatible honeyberry cultivar blooming at the same time to produce abundant fruit.
   • Suggested Partners: To maximize your harvest, pair it with high-performing varieties such as 'Borealis', 'Tundra', 'Indigo Gem', or 'Honeybee'. 'Honeybee' stands out as an exceptionally great pollination partner for 'Aurora'.

Care and Maintenance Guide

• Watering: Water regularly to keep the soil uniformly moist, especially during the establishment year and when the berries are swelling. Applying organic mulch at the base helps retain moisture and keeps the roots cool.
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced natural fertilizer or a formula specific to small fruits early in the spring. Add a layer of well-rotted compost around the base of the plant each year to nourish the soil sustainably.
• Pruning: The 'Aurora' honeyberry naturally maintains a beautiful upright habit and requires very little maintenance during its first few years. After 4 or 5 years, remove older, weakened, or overcrowded branches in late winter to let light penetrate and stimulate productive new growth.
• Protection:
  • Against Birds: Birds quickly covet these large blue berries. Install bird netting as soon as the fruit begins to take on color to secure your harvest.
  • Winter Care: With an extreme cold tolerance down to Zone 2, 'Aurora' braves harsh Canadian winters without requiring any artificial winter protection.