Lonicera kamtschatica 'Honey Bee' - Afin siberian

Lonicera kamtschatica 'Honey Bee', also known as Siberian blueberry 'Honey Bee' or honeyberry 'Honey Bee', is a perennial shrub from the Caprifoliaceae family, valued for its edible, sweet fruits and exceptional cold resistance. Native to the boreal regions of Asia, this variety is ideal for fruit gardens, borders, or small orchards, offering early harvests and a compact decorative appearance. It is an excellent pollinator variety, compatible with other honeyberry varieties.

Appearance of leaves and flowers

• Leaves: The leaves are oval, 4-6 cm long, medium green, with entire margins. The foliage is dense, providing a compact and attractive look throughout the season.
• Flowers: The flowers are small, white-yellowish, tubular, grouped in pairs, appearing early spring (April-May). They are discreet but attract pollinators such as bees.

Appearance of the fruits

• Fruits: The fruits are elongated berries, intense blue, 1.5-2 cm long, sweet and juicy, with a taste reminiscent of wild blueberries. They ripen early, in May-June, being among the first berries of the season. They are rich in antioxidants, ideal for fresh consumption, juices, or jams.

Growth characteristics

• Height and width: Reaches 1-1.5 meters in height and 1-1.2 meters in width, forming a compact, erect shrub with arching branches.
• Vigor: Moderate growth, with robust stems and high productivity, about 2-3 kg of fruit per shrub.
• Type: Deciduous perennial shrub, with leaves falling in winter.

Growing conditions

• Exposure: Prefers full sun for optimal fruiting but tolerates partial shade, where production is slightly reduced.
• Soil: Grows in fertile, well-drained soils, with slightly acidic to neutral pH (5.5-7.0). Tolerates poor or clay soils.
• Watering: Water regularly in the first year, keeping the soil moist. Once established, it is tolerant to moderate drought.
• Temperature: Hardy in zones 2-7 (down to -40°C), suitable for temperate climates, including Romania. Tolerates harsh winters well.

Care and resistance

• Resistance: Extremely resistant to cold, drought, and pollution. Can be affected by aphids or mites; treat with organic methods. Tolerates drought and wind but attracts pollinators.
• Fertilization: Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring and a potassium-rich fertilizer in summer for fruiting. Avoid excess nitrogen.
• Pruning: Cut stems that fruited in autumn down to the ground and remove weak branches in spring. Keep 5-7 healthy stems per bush.
• Propagation: Propagated by root cuttings or dividing bushes in spring.
• Warning: Spiny stems can cause scratches. Fruits are edible and safe.

Usage

Lonicera kamtschatica 'Honey Bee' is ideal for fruit gardens, borders, or small orchards. Its blue, sweet fruits are excellent for fresh consumption, jams, juices, or desserts. It pairs well with other berries or low ornamental plants. Attracts pollinators, contributing to biodiversity.

Origin

Lonicera kamtschatica is native to Russia (Kamchatka) and East Asia. The 'Honey Bee' cultivar was developed in Canada for its large fruits and cold resistance.

A mature specimen can produce 3-6 kg of fruit, which can be consumed fresh or as jams, preserves, etc.

No phytosanitary treatments required - Lonicera kamtschatica is considered "pest free". No special substrate required. Although it is a self-fertile variety, for higher productivity it is recommended to have several Lonicera varieties in the garden.

It withstands even extreme temperatures in the garden.

In the cold season, it is sold without leaves.

Height including pot: approx. 30 cm

Pot diameter: 9 cm

Note: In the cold season garden plants are sold pruned and without leaves.