Blue Velvet Haskap Honeysuckle produces large, tasty fruit, which is fairly sweet when compared to other haskap varieties. A late blooming variety, Blue Velvet Honeyberry has unusual, attractive greyish-green, velvet-like foliage, and a broad, spreading habit. It will grow to be about 4 feet tall with up to a 6 foot wide spread. Lonicera caerulea ‘Blue Velvet’ requires another late blooming Haskap for pollination (such as Blue pagoda, Blue Forest, Boreal Beast or Boreal Blizzard). Honeyberries are very hardy, and adapt well to many climates. Not unlike blueberry plants, Blue Velvet Blue Honeysuckle prefers well-drained, acidic soil, and full sun to partial shade. Use in edible landscapes, orchards, and containers. Blue Velvet Honeyberry makes a wonderful medium-sized hedge on its own, or mixed with other Haskap varieties and other berry bushes. Blue Velvet Haskap plants will need a year or two to grow before fruit production; and will produce approximately 5 to 10 pounds of fruit annually. The berries are great for fresh eating, juicing, and preserves. A very healthful fruit, Haskap berries contain large amounts of antioxidants; such as, anthocyanins, polyphenols, flavonoids, vitamin C, vitamin A, fibre and potassium. They have three times the antioxidants of blueberries, and more vitamin C than oranges.
