Honeyberry Diana - Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica

Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica 'Diana' is a honeysuckle with edible fruits, one of the most popular late varieties. Its flowering in April is followed by  fruiting in June, extending until July. One of the remarkable characteristics of this blue honeysuckle is the large size of its fruits, each weighing 1.5 g. The chalky, blue berries have a sweet and slightly acidic flavour, providing a pleasant sensation in the mouth. Its exceptional cold resistance and high productivity make it an ideal choice. This shrub can be grown in the garden or in a pot on a terrace. It is easy to maintain and disease-resistant, perfect for forming a small fruit hedge, along with other fruit-bearing shrubs. Although capable of self-pollination, planting multiple varieties promotes optimal cross-pollination and ensures abundant harvests in the long term.

Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica, also known as Blue Honeysuckle, Honey Berry, May Berry, Siberian Blueberry, Edible Honeysuckle, Maibeere, or Haskap, is a shrub species belonging to the Caprifoliaceae family, just like other honeysuckles. Native to Eastern Europe, particularly Russia and Siberian Asia, from the Kamchatka region to Sakhalin Island, it has been consumed by indigenous populations for a long time. This resilient shrub can withstand temperatures as low as -40°C, although its flowers freeze below -7°C, making it a useful choice for high-altitude gardens.

The 'Diane' variety is a solid and robust selection of Russian origin. It forms a bushy shrub with a dense and rounded crown, reaching 1.60 m in height and spreading 1.20 m wide. The foliage is deciduous, composed of opposite, ovate, dark green leaves with a slightly grey-blue hue, measuring 3 to 8 cm long. Flowering occurs from March, with tubular, yellowish-green and quite inconspicuous flowers blooming in pairs, loved by bees. Fruit production mainly occurs on one- and two-year-old branches. The shrub becomes covered in oval berries with an uneven surface, covered in small bumps, with an open apex, chalky and blue, measuring 1.5 to 2 cm long and 0.7 to 0.8 cm in diameter, weighing approximately 1.5 grams, with a honey-like scent. The berries contain tiny seeds that are not noticeable when consumed. Ripening between mid-June and mid-July, the drupe is filled with a yellowish-green, juicy, sweet, and slightly acidic pulp, similar to a blueberry in both flavour and appearance.

The berries should be picked as they mature when their flesh turns red. A Haskap bush can produce approximately 2.5 to 4 kg of fruit per plant, depending on the age and cultivation conditions of the plant. To improve fruiting, it is best to plant at least two bushes. Varieties such as 'Regina', 'Morena', 'Nimfa', 'Fialka', and 'Honey Bee' can be used. Being nectar-rich, the flowers will attract bees for pollination. The fruits are rich in vitamins B and C, fibre, minerals, and antioxidants.

In the kitchen: Once picked, the berries can be refrigerated for only 2 to 3 days, preferably in the vegetable drawer. The fruits of the 'Diana' Haskap can be enjoyed fresh, and for added indulgence, they can be sprinkled with a little granulated sugar. They are excellent for making jellies or jams, and can also be used in fruit salads, muffins or smoothies and pies... as well as in very fruity, slightly acidic juices. When dried, the berries retain all their nutritional value. To extend the uses, fruits can be easily frozen.

Transform your garden into a gourmet paradise with May berries. To create a rustic or edible hedge, choose a sunny location, protected from excessive heat, in moist, fertile, and non-calcareous soil. Combine this 'Diana' variety with other delights such as raspberries, red currants, blackberries, blueberries, or even goji berries (Lycium barbarum) for flavourful harvests.