Honeyberry Siniczka - Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica

The Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica 'Siniczka' is a honeysuckle with edible fruits, known for its high productivity. Its bluish pruinose berries, with an average weight of 0.8 gram, offer a sour-sweet taste, slightly tangy and fragrant. Robust up to -40°C, this bush braves extreme temperatures with ease. Its bushy habit makes it adaptable both in the garden and in a pot on a terrace. The fragrant flowering in March announces an abundant harvest from early June, favoured by the proximity of other pollinating plants. Easy to grow and resistant to diseases, it is an ideal choice for a small fruit hedge, harmoniously associated with other varieties of small fruits.

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

The 'Siniczka' variety is a Russian selection that arrived on the market in 1998. Strong and robust, it forms a bushy shrub, with a dense and rounded crown, 1.60 m tall and 1.20 m wide. The foliage is deciduous, composed of opposite, oval, dark green leaves, slightly greyish-blue, 3 to 8 cm long. Flowering takes place from March, in the form of tubular flowers, blooming in pairs, yellowish-green, quite discreet, intensely visited by bees. Fruit production mainly occurs on one- and two-year-old branches. The bush is then covered with barrel-shaped berries, ovoid to oval, with the peculiarity of a rim encircling the fruit at its centre, pruinose, blue in colour, 1.5 to 2 cm long, 0.6 to 0.7 cm in diameter, weighing about 1 gram, with a honey-like scent. They contain very small seeds that are not noticeable when eaten. Reaching maturity around early June, the drupe is filled with a yellowish-green, juicy, sweet and tangy pulp, similar to that of blueberries both in flavour and appearance. Harvesting is staggered as the fruits ripen, when their flesh becomes deep red. A Honeyberry plant produces approximately 2.5 to 4 kg of fruits per plant depending on the age and growing conditions of the plant. To improve fruiting, it is preferable to plant at least two plants. Varieties such as 'Morena', 'Nimfa', and 'Silginka' can be good pollinating partners. The flowers attract bees for good pollination. The fruits are rich in vitamins B and C, fibres, minerals, and antioxidants.

In the kitchen: Once picked, Mayberries can only be stored for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator, preferably in the vegetable drawer. The fruits of the 'Siniczka' Honeysuckle can be eaten fresh, and for extra 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 value. To extend the enjoyment, the fruits can be easily frozen.

Create a true gourmet haven in your garden by choosing the Honeyberry Honeysuckle. Ideal for creating a delicious or rustic hedge, choose a sunny location, but protected from excessive heat, in a cool, fertile, and non-calcareous soil. Associate it with other delights such as raspberries, red currants, blackberries, blueberries, or even goji berries (Lycium barbarum) for tasty harvests. You can also grow it in a pot on a terrace for a natural immersion. For a splash of colour, combine it with ornamental shrubs such as Fragrant Osmanthus, Lilacs, Mock Oranges, abelias, Choisya (Mexican Orange Blossom), or Kolkwitzia, making sure to respect the honeysuckle's personal space. Let yourself be intoxicated by its enchanting fragrance from spring onwards!