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Gardening

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Honeyberry bushes?

13 replies

JoinTheDots · 07/06/2019 14:56

Hello, I purchased 2 honeyberry bushes (a lot like blueberry, but less fussy about the soil they will grow in) and planted them in December, when they were just twigs. Now they are getting leaves, I can see they look very different. One has thinner leaves on very red stems, the other has rounded leaves which are lighter in colour.

I got 2 bushes because you need a couple to help pollinate each other for fruiting. I am now concerned I have 2 different types of bush and they might not pollinate each other so I will get no fruit.

Anyone got any idea what they are?

I have also been in touch with the place I got them, but thought you lot might be faster!

Honeyberry bushes?
Honeyberry bushes?
OP posts:
JoinTheDots · 07/06/2019 16:52

Ah no worries - I heard back from the nursery and apparently they are different varieties but that is to aid pollination. Both honeyberries

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BobTheDuvet · 07/06/2019 17:24

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Beebumble2 · 07/06/2019 17:46

I planted mine in a container with obelisk for it to grow up, as I was informed that it was a climber. After a year it is about half way up the obelisk and quite bushy, not necessarily climbing. It’s apparently related to honeysuckle, what I wasn’t told was that it needed a pollinator.
Last year it had little yellow flowers, but no fruit. I’d better get another one.

JoinTheDots · 07/06/2019 18:36

I got mine from Pomona Fruits (online) they only sell them in 2s because of the pollination issue - but if you do buy from them, don't be surprised if they look completely different!

I have planted them in pretty much full sun, not that we have had any today...

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newtlover · 07/06/2019 18:41

does anyone know what honeyberry tastes like?

BobTheDuvet · 07/06/2019 18:41

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JoinTheDots · 07/06/2019 21:51

I have yet to try one, but I have read they are a more sour version of a blueberry. You need to let them sit on the bush for sometime after they are blue in order to let them sweeten. I can see this being an issue if you do not net them as the birds are likely to take them before you can let them ripen fully.

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WeeWeed · 07/06/2019 22:59

I didn't know about the pollination issue. I have recently adopted one, my neighbour (2 along) has one, will this be close enough for pollination?

pourmeanotherglass · 07/06/2019 23:07

I've only got one, but it seems to produce fruit every year. Maybe one of the neighbours has something to cross pollinate. Berries are quite sour, I like them but the kids aren't keen. DD1 sometimes picks some to put in smoothies with sweeter fruit.

WeeWeed · 07/06/2019 23:20

I checked RHS and hand pollination is advised because there are not a lot of pollinating insects around when they are in flower.

BobTheDuvet · 08/06/2019 06:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MereDintofPandiculation · 08/06/2019 09:36

they are a more sour version of a blueberry. That's a description of the fruit, but they're in a completely different family from the blueberry - they're actually a type of woody honeysuckle.

JoinTheDots · 08/06/2019 12:42

I also have a "pink lemonade" blueberry which a friend got for me, it is self pollinating (handy) and the blueberries are pink, very pretty.

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