Species honeyberry

honeyberry

Lonicera caerulea 'Kiev #8' BLUE VELVET

Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea 'Kiev #8' BLUE VELVET) is a deciduous shrub that produces sweet and juicy blue fruits in July. It is a hardy species, thriving in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils. Growing up to 8 feet tall and 6 feet wide, this bush can be grown as an ornamental or edible landscape to attract bees and other pollinators. It's self-pollinating so one shrub can grow a harvest. Blue Velvet offers an excellent balance of sweetness and acidity and can be eaten raw or enjoyed jams, desserts, and wines.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Division,Tissue Culture

Hardiness Zone:

3 - 7

Flowers:

White Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Fruits:

blue,purple,violet,black Fruits Ready In Summer

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Watering frequency for honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea 'Kiev #8' BLUE VELVET) plants will depend on soil type, climate, and level of rainfall. In general, provide deep and infrequent waterings throughout the growing season. Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, and water slowly and deeply at the base of the plants until the soil is thoroughly moistened. Avoid over-watering, which can cause root rot and other diseases. It is important to not let the soil dry out completely in between waterings. In hot weather, honeyberries may require more frequent waterings to ensure that the soil remains moist. If possible, direct water away from the center of the plants to help decrease the likelihood of disease.

sunlight

Honeyberry plants prefer full sun for best growth and fruit production, but they will tolerate partial shade. For optimal fruit production, 8-10 hours of direct sunlight per day during the growing season is ideal. If provided with full sun, honeyberry plants may even produce a small harvest in the first year after planting. For the best yield, plant honeyberry in an area with direct sunlight from morning until evening and avoid areas that get shade during the hottest parts of the day.

pruning

For Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea 'Kiev #8' BLUE VELVET) plants, pruning should occur in late winter, when the flowering and fruiting period has ended. Pruning should occur minimally, just to remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Pruning should also be done to achieve a desired structure, and to ensure the branches are lifted off the ground for better air circulation and disease prevention. Severe pruning should be avoided - instead, making a few selective cuts is recommended to reduce overcrowding and allow the plant to produce higher quality fruit.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Honeyberry typically starts flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

The best time to start harvesting the fruits from Lonicera caerulea 'Kiev #8' BLUE VELVET, also known as honeyberry, is usually in June or July.

Hardiness Map