Honeyberry Zojka - Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica

Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica 'Zojka' is a variety of honeysuckle with edible fruits. Originally from Poland, it was selected for its flattened drop-shaped fruits, with a sweet, fruity, slightly acidic flavour. The berries are recognised as a superfruit, energising, with highly appreciated nutritional qualities, ideal as a complement to a balanced diet. They can be consumed fresh or dried and can be transformed into juice, jellies, or jams. This very hardy, blue honeysuckle can withstand temperatures as low as -40°C. With a bushy habit, almost as wide as it is tall, it is suitable for the garden, planted alongside other fruit or ornamental bushes, or in a pot on a terrace or balcony. Its cream-white flowering in March is followed by a bountiful harvest of fruits in May-June. 'Zojka' is a good pollinator. To improve fruiting, it is recommended to plant at least two plants. It is ideal for creating a small edible and decorative hedge, and can even be combined with other varieties of small fruits.

Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica, commonly known as Blue Honeysuckle, Honeyberry, Mayberry, Siberian Blueberry, Edible Honeysuckle, Maibeere, or Haskap, is a shrub species belonging to the Caprifoliaceae family, like all honeysuckles. It is native to Eastern Europe, particularly Russia and Siberian Asia, from Kamchatka to Magadan and Sakhalin Island. The edible honeysuckle has been known and consumed by indigenous populations for a long time. It thrives in cold regions, as it can withstand -40°C, but only -7°C for its flowers. It is an interesting shrub for mountain gardens.

The 'Zojka' variety is a Polish cultivar that forms a bushy, branching shrub, 1.50 m tall with a spread of 1.20 m. The foliage is deciduous, composed of opposite, ovate, dark green leaves with a slightly greyish-blue tint, measuring 3 to 8 cm long. The flowering occurs from March, with tubular, yellowish-greenish, inconspicuous flowers blooming in pairs, intensely visited by bees. The fruits mainly develop on one- and two-year-old branches. The shrub is then covered with round, slightly elongated berries, almost flat at the end, chalky blue, measuring 1.5 to 2 cm long and 0.8 to 1 cm in diameter, weighing approximately 1 gram, with a honey-like scent. They contain very small seeds that are not noticeable when consumed. Reaching maturity between mid-May and mid-June, the drupe is filled with a yellowish-green, juicy, sweet and tangy pulp, similar to blueberries in flavour and appearance. The harvest is spread out as the fruits ripen when their flesh turns red. The yield of a Blue Honeysuckle is approximately 4 to 5 kg of fruits per plant, depending on the age and growing conditions of the plant. To improve fruiting,plant at least two plants. The 'Wojtek' variety can be a good pollination partner. The flowers are attractive to bees for good pollination. The fruits are rich in vitamins B and C, fibre, minerals, and antioxidants.

In the kitchen: Once harvested, honeyberries can be stored for only 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator, preferably in the vegetable drawer. The fruits of the Zojka Blue Honeysuckle can be enjoyed fresh, and for added indulgence, they can be sprinkled with a little granulated sugar. Excellent in jellies or jams, they can also be used to make fruit salads, muffins or smoothies, and pies... And also very fruity, slightly acidic juices. When dried, the berries retain all their nutritional values. To prolong the enjoyment, the fruits can be easily frozen.

The Honeyberry is ideal for transforming your garden into an edible or rustic hedge. It thrives in sunny positions, sheltered from the scorching sun, in fertile soil that is low in limestone. For tasty harvests it can be accompanied by raspberries, redcurrants, blackberries, blueberries, or even goji berries (Lycium barbarum). It can even be planted in a container on a terrace to enjoy this beautiful shrub up close. For a colourful decoration, ornamental shrubs such as lilacs, mock oranges, abelias, or Kolkwitzia will do the trick, taking care, however, that their root system does not encroach on the living space of our blue honeysuckle. From spring onwards you can fully savour the scent of the Honeyberry!