Blue Honeysuckle: A New Berry Crop for North America

Abstract

Cultivars of blue honeysuckle, Lonicera caeruleaL., have been recently introduced into North America from Russia. In addition, wild material has been collected from Russia, Japan and China and is now preserved at the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Clonal Germplasm Repository (NCGR) in Corvallis, Oregon. Blue honeysuckle has potential as a commercial berry crop for northern latitudes. Russian cultivars were released in the 1980’s and 1990’s and are now available in North America. These cultivars bloom and ripen early in the season, and can yield between 2 and 3 kg/plant. The berry shape is similar to an elongated or cylindrical blueberry and the fruit flavor ranges from tart sugar/acid to bland. The fruit varies from about 1 to 2 g/berry, has high Vitamin C levels, and high antioxidant content. This crop could provide an additional opportunity for small fruit growers in high latitudes and colder climates to diversify their production for high-end specialty crop markets.