HONEYBERRY

(Lonicera caerulea)  These members of the honeysuckle family are native to eastern Russia,are hardy to -40F and are often called the Blueberry of the Prairie. They've been used as a food crop for hundreds of years in Asia and Eastern Europe, but are only recently being bred and improved as a food crop for North America. Honeyberry or Haskap as they are sometimes called, flower early in the season and produce fruits before strawberries ripen. They produce clusters of unique, elongated berries with a sweet, blueberry-like flavor that is good for fresh eating or making preserves. The fruits are also high in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals with the bushes growing from 4-7’ in height.