Borealis Honeyberry
Borealis Honeyberry
Large, Sweet Haskap Berries on an Ultra-Hardy Bush
Borealis Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea 'Borealis') is a University of Saskatchewan haskap prized for some of the largest, sweetest berries of any honeyberry — elongated blue fruit with a flavor between blueberry and raspberry, ripening in June before any other fruit. It's incredibly cold-hardy and grows in ordinary soil (no acidity required), but like all honeyberries it needs a second, different variety such as Berry Blue to fruit. Whether you're starting an early berry patch in Edina, filling an edible bed in Maple Grove, or adding a tough fruit shrub in Woodbury — Borealis thrives in zone 4b–5a (and far colder) gardens.
Borealis Honeyberry Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lonicera caerulea 'Borealis' (U of Saskatchewan) |
| Plant Type | Deciduous fruiting shrub (honeyberry / haskap) |
| Mature Height | 3–5 feet |
| Mature Width | 3–4 feet |
| Sun | Full sun to part shade (full sun for the heaviest crop) |
| Water | Moderate — 1 inch per week; keep evenly moist while establishing |
| USDA Zones | 2–7 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) |
| Soil | Very adaptable — no acidic soil needed; tolerates Minnesota clay-loam with good drainage |
| Pollination | Requires a second, different honeyberry variety (e.g., Berry Blue) blooming at the same time |
| Harvest | Very early — June, before strawberries; large, sweet berries |
| Winter Hardiness | Extreme — to about -40°F; flowers tolerate light spring frost |
Borealis Honeyberry Uses in Minnesota Gardens
Best-flavor fresh eating
Borealis is grown for size and sweetness — the honeyberry of choice for fresh snacking and dessert in a Plymouth garden.
Earliest harvest of the year
It fruits in June, ahead of strawberries, for the first homegrown berries of the season in Eden Prairie.
Edible hedge and part shade
Productive even in part shade, it works in an edible hedge or a lightly shaded bed where blueberries would struggle.
Best Time to Plant Borealis Honeyberry in Minnesota
Spring (late April–May) and early fall (late August–September) are both excellent. Avoid summer heat, and never plant after mid-October — frost-heaving kills new roots.
How to Plant Borealis Honeyberry
- Plant a second, different variety (such as Berry Blue) within 50 feet — Borealis will not fruit alone or with only its own kind.
- Dig wide, not deep — 2–3× the root ball width, same depth as the container.
- Backfill with native soil mixed with 20–30% compost; firm gently and water in well.
- Space plants 4–5 feet apart.
- Mulch 2–3 inches with shredded bark or wood chips, kept off the stems.
- Little pruning is needed for years; remove only dead or crowded wood once mature.
Watering Borealis Honeyberry in Minnesota
First Year Watering Schedule
- Weeks 1–2: Every 2–3 days, deep and slow
- Month 1–2: Every 4–5 days
- Month 3–6: Weekly; keep evenly moist
- Stop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities).
After Year One
Water during dry spells, especially while berries are sizing in late spring. Established honeyberries are low-maintenance and tolerate brief dry periods.
What should I plant to pollinate Borealis?
Berry Blue is the classic partner, but any different honeyberry that blooms at the same time within about 50 feet will work. You need two distinct varieties.
How do the berries taste?
Sweet and complex — like a cross between blueberry and raspberry. Borealis is among the best-flavored haskaps for fresh eating.
Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Easily — honeyberries survive to about -40°F, and the early flowers shrug off light spring frosts.
You May Also Like
- Berry Blue Honeyberry — the recommended pollinator for Borealis
- Cinderella Honeyberry — a compact, sweet haskap
- Heritage Raspberry — easy everbearing fruit