Fruit Type: Honey Berry (Haskap)
Botanical Name: Lonicera caerulea ‘Zielona’
Fruit Colour: Blue
Growth Habit: Upright, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub
Final Height: Approx. 1.5–2 m
Exposure: Full sun to light shade
Soil Type: Fertile, moist but well-drained soil
Pollination: Not self-fertile, requires a compatible variety
Hardiness: Exceptionally hardy, suitable for cold climates

Honey berry ‘Zielona’ is an edible shrub from the honeysuckle family, grown for its early-season fruit and remarkable winter hardiness. As a cultivated form of Lonicera caerulea, also known as honeyberry or haskap, it offers richly flavoured berries and dependable performance in cooler climates.

This Polish-bred variety produces oblong blue berries with a sweet-tart, aromatic flavour. Ripening occurs very early, often from late May into June, frequently before strawberries and raspberries. The fruits are relatively large for honeyberries and are well suited to fresh eating, jams, juices, desserts, or freezing for later use.

‘Zielona’ grows as an upright, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a compact, rounded habit. When mature, it typically reaches between 1.5 and 2 metres in height and width. Glossy green foliage complements the pale early spring flowers, and the plant fits well into borders, informal hedges, or larger containers.

For best results, plant in full sun or light shade in fertile, moist but well-drained soil. Honeyberries are exceptionally cold-hardy and tolerate very low winter temperatures. The blossoms also show good resistance to late spring frosts, reflecting the plant’s northern origins.

This variety is not self-fertile and requires at least one other compatible honeyberry cultivar flowering at the same time to ensure reliable pollination and fruit set.

We select our fruit plants with winter hardiness in mind, ensuring suitability for outdoor cultivation in our climate once properly established.

For gardeners seeking an early-ripening berry shrub with excellent flavour and outstanding resilience, ‘Zielona’ is a dependable and productive choice.