Honeyberry Wołoszebnica - Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica

The Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica 'Wołoszebnica' honeysuckle offers delicious berries, remarkably fragrant, with an irresistible sweet and sour flavour and an incredibly juicy texture, enhanced by a subtle wine note. These succulent fruits reach maturity at the end of May. With exceptional resistance to extreme temperatures that can drop to -40°C, this shrub cultivar easily adapts to various environments, whether in the garden or in a pot on a terrace. Its early flowering in March, adorned with white and yellow, announces a generous harvest of fruits in June, stimulated by the presence of pollinators nearby. These berries, tasty for dessert or ideal for freezing, perfectly complement a small fruit hedge. Easy to grow and resistant to diseases, this 'Wołoszebnica' honeysuckle is also an ideal choice for promoting the pollination of other fruit varieties.

The Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica, more commonly known as Blue Honeysuckle, Honeyberry, Mayberry, Siberian Blueberries, Edible Honeysuckle, Maibeere or Haskap, is a shrub species in the family Caprifoliaceae, like all honeysuckles. It is native to Eastern Europe, particularly Russia and Siberian Asia, from Kamchatka to Magadan to Sakhalin Island. The edible honeysuckle has been known and consumed for a long time by indigenous populations. It is adapted to cold regions, as it can withstand -40°C, but only -7°C for its flowers. It is an interesting shrub for mountain gardens.

The 'Wolozsebnica' variety is a modern and robust variety, cultivated for many years in Poland. It forms a bushy shrub, with a dense and rounded crown, 1.75 m tall and spreading 1.20 m wide. The foliage is deciduous, composed of opposite, ovate, dark green leaves, slightly greyish-blue, 3 to 8 cm long. Flowering occurs from March, in the form of tubular flowers, blooming in pairs, yellowish-green, quite discreet, intensely visited by bees. Fruiting mainly occurs on one- and two-year-old branches. The shrub is then covered with elongated and slightly curved, pruinose blue berries, 2.5 to 3 cm long, 0.8 to 1 cm in diameter, weighing about 1.5 to 2 grams, with a honey scent. They contain very small seeds that are not noticeable when tasted. Reaching maturity around the end of May, early June, the drupe is filled with a greenish-yellow, juicy, sweet and tangy pulp, similar to that of blueberries in both flavour and appearance. The harvest is spread out as the fruits ripen, when their flesh turns red. A Blue Honeysuckle yields approximately 2.5 to 4 kg of fruits per plant, depending on the age and growing conditions of the plant. To improve fruiting, it is preferable to plant at least two plants. The varieties 'Zojka', 'Morena', 'Nimfa', 'Silginka' can be good pollinating partners. The flowers attract bees for good pollination. The fruits are rich in vitamins B and C, fibre, minerals, and antioxidants.

In the kitchen: Once picked, the Mayberries can be stored for only 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator, preferably in the vegetable drawer. The fruits of the Blue Honeysuckle Wolozsebnica can be enjoyed fresh, and for added indulgence, they can be sprinkled with a little granulated sugar. Excellent in jellies or jams, they can also be used to make fruit salads, muffins or smoothies, and pies... And also very fruity, slightly acidic juices. When dried, the berries retain all their nutritional values. To extend the enjoyment, the fruits can be easily frozen.

Create a true gourmet Eden in your garden with this Honeyberry Honeysuckle, ideal for composing a deliciously rustic hedge. Choose a sunny location, but protected from excessive heat, in a cool, fertile, slightly acidic soil. Harmoniously combine it with raspberries, redcurrants, blackberries, blueberries or even goji berries (Lycium barbarum) for delicious harvests. You can also grow it in a pot on a terrace for a natural immersion. For an explosion of colours, combine it with decorative shrubs such as Fragrant Osmanthus, Lilacs, Mock Oranges, Abelia, Mexican Orange Blossom or Kolkwitzia, ensuring that the Honeysuckle has enough space. Immerse yourself in the enchanting scent of Honeyberry Honeysuckle in spring!