Honeyberry Troe Druzej - Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica

The Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica 'Troe Druzej' honeysuckle produces deliciously fragrant berries with an irresistible sour-sweet flavour and no bitterness. Their incredibly juicy texture reveals a unique flavour, often compared to a subtle marriage between blueberry and kiwi! With exceptional resilience to extreme temperatures down to -40°C, this shrubby cultivar adapts easily to various environments, whether it be an outdoor garden or a pot on a terrace. Its early flowering in March, dressed in white and yellow, announces an abundant harvest of fruits in June, favoured by the proximity of pollinators. These berries, delicious for dessert or perfect for freezing, harmoniously complement a small fruit hedge. Easy to grow and resistant to diseases, the 'Troe Druzej' honeysuckle represents a top choice, especially to encourage the pollination of other varieties of May Berry.

The Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica, more commonly known as Blue Honeysuckle, Honeyberry, May Berry, Siberian Blueberries, Edible Honeysuckle, Maibeere or Haskap, is a shrubby species in the caprifoliaceae family, like all honeysuckles. It originates from Eastern Europe, particularly from 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 adapted to cold regions, as it withstands -40°C, but only -7°C for its flowers. It is an interesting shrub for high-altitude gardens.

The 'Troe Druzej' variety is a robust and sturdy variety, forming a bushy shrub with an upright growth habit, dense vegetation, reaching a height of 1.50 m with a spread of 1.20 m. The foliage is deciduous, composed of opposite, ovate, dark green leaves, slightly greyish-blue, measuring 3 to 8 cm in length. Flowering occurs from March, in the form of tubular flowers, blooming in pairs, yellowish-green, rather discreet, intensely visited by bees. Fruit production mainly occurs on one- and two-year-old branches. The shrub is then covered with elongated and deformed berries, pruinose, blue in colour, measuring 2.5 to 3 cm in length, 0.8 to 1 cm in diameter, weighing approximately 1.5 to 2 grams, with a honey scent. They contain tiny seeds that are not noticeable when eaten. Reaching maturity around mid-June, the drupe is filled with a yellowish-green, juicy, sweet, and slightly acidic pulp, similar to that of blueberries in both flavour and appearance. The harvest takes place as the fruits ripen, when their flesh turns 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. The varieties 'Zojka', 'Morena', 'Nimfa', and 'Silginka' can be good pollinating partners. The flowers attract bees for effective pollination. The fruits are rich in vitamins B and C, fibre, minerals, and antioxidants.

In the kitchen: Once harvested, May berries only keep for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator, preferably in the vegetable compartment. The fruits of the Troe Druzej Honeyberry can be enjoyed fresh, and for added indulgence, they can be sprinkled with a little granulated sugar. They are excellent in jellies or jams, and 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.

Transform your garden into a gourmet paradise with the Honeyberry. This elegant fruiting shrub is both decorative and functional, perfect for enhancing a rustic hedge or beautifying a wild garden. Choose a sunny location, but sheltered from excessive heat, in a cool, fertile, slightly acidic soil. Harmoniously associate it with raspberries, redcurrants, blackberries, blueberries, or even goji berries (Lycium barbarum) for tasty harvests. Grow it in a pot on a terrace for a close-to-nature experience. For a dazzling colour palette, combine it with ornamental shrubs such as fragrant Osmanthus, Lilacs, Mock Oranges, abelias, Mexican Orange Blossom (Choisya), or Kolkwitzia, ensuring to respect the Honeyberry's personal space. Let yourself be enchanted by its fragrance from spring onwards!