Yezberry® 'Solo'™ Haskap - Lonicera caerulea Yezberry® 'Solo'™

Discover the Yezberry® 'Solo'™ Haskap, a true game-changer in the world of northern climate small fruits! Developed from pure Japanese yields, this exceptional shrub stands out for its unique ability to produce large, fleshy berries completely on its own. No need to clear space for two shrubs anymore: it delivers bountiful, extra-sweet harvests even when planted solo. It is the perfect choice for optimizing small spaces or easily starting your edible backyard garden.

The Harvest: Yield and Flavour

The Yezberry® 'Solo'™ Haskap is known for its reliable mid-to-late season harvest. Its massive fruits develop on the previous year's wood and are easy to pick from the well-structured shrub.

• Harvest period: Mid to late July
• Visual description: Very large, round-oval berries with a particularly plump shape, showcasing a deep purplish-blue color beneath a soft waxy bloom. The tender skin protects a juicy flesh that holds up beautifully during picking.
• Flavour profile: Sweet, rich, and intensely fruity. It features a high sugar content and low acidity, creating a heavenly flavor profile that tastes like a cross between a wild blueberry and a plum.
• Culinary uses: Delicious to enjoy fresh straight from the bush, it works wonders in desserts, upgrades your pancakes and waffles, cooks down into premium jams, or freezes effortlessly.

Planting Guide

To successfully establish your Yezberry® 'Solo'™ Haskap and encourage strong, healthy roots, follow these key steps:

1. The ideal location: Plant your 'Solo'™ in full sun to maximize fruit production and concentrate sugars, though it tolerates light shade. This compact, naturally rounded shrub integrates perfectly into flowerbeds or small vegetable patches without requiring any support structures.
2. Soil preparation: This haskap thrives in rich, loose, well-drained soil that retains consistent moisture. Highly adaptable, it thrives in a wide pH range (neutral to slightly acidic), making it much simpler to grow than traditional blueberries. Mix a generous amount of compost into the soil before planting.
3. Planting out: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball. Position the plant so the root crown sits level with or slightly below the surrounding ground (about 2 cm) to stimulate the growth of vigorous new shoots from the base. Fill the hole, tamp firmly, and water thoroughly.
4. Pollination:
   • Type: Self-fertile. The Yezberry® 'Solo'™ Haskap offers the massive advantage of setting fruit without the help of a companion plant.
   • Suggested partners: No partner plant is required. However, planting it near another variety from the Yezberry® series (such as 'Sugar Pie'®) significantly increases the overall size and volume of your harvest.

Care and Maintenance Guide

• Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged during the first two years to support optimal root establishment. Steady watering during summer heatwaves and berry formation ensures larger, juicier fruit.
• Fertilization: Top-dress with a good layer of mature compost around the base of the shrub every spring. An application of natural fertilizer formulated for small fruits at the start of the season effectively boosts its spring vigor.
• Pruning: This shrub requires minimal maintenance. Avoid any pruning for the first 3 years. Afterward, perform a light thinning pruning in late winter by removing dead, broken, or weak interior branches to maximize sunlight penetration.
• Protection:
  • Against birds: Birds quickly spot these large blue berries. Install protective netting as soon as the fruit begins turning blue to safeguard your valuable harvest.
  • Winter care: Gifted with excellent cold hardiness (Zone 3), it withstands harsh Canadian winters effortlessly and requires no additional winter protection.