Honeyberry

 

Lonicera kamtschatica ‘Duet’

‘Lonicera Kamtschatica Duet’ is a blue honeysuckle berry similar in flavour to the blueberry. It originates from north-east Asia and Siberia and is still relatively unknown in the Netherlands. The shrub is very hardy and blooms with inconspicuous green-yellow flowers. The honeyberry bush is self-pollinating, but when several plants are planted together, it does give a better harvest. Bumblebees take care of pollination. The fruits appear later than those of ‘Lonicera Kamtschatica’, around August/September. The berries are dark blue in colour, are somewhat larger than average with a particular elongated shape. As the name Honeyberry suggests, the flavour is deliciously sweet. Moreover, they contain many vitamins. They contain a lot of pectin, vitamins B and C. The berries are suitable for incorporating into a dish or eating freshly picked. Birds also love the honeyberry, so temporarily covering it with a net or foil is recommended. It grows to a maximum height of 100 cm, so pruning is hardly necessary. Lonicera Kamtschatica Duet’ likes a sunny to semi-shaded spot in a well-drained but slightly moist soil.