Cinderella Honeyberry
Cinderella Honeyberry
A Compact, Sweet Haskap for Small Yards and Containers
Cinderella Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea 'Cinderella') packs the famous haskap hardiness and sweet, early berries into a tidy, low-growing bush that fits small spaces and large containers. Its tangy-sweet blue fruit ripens in June, weeks ahead of any other berry, and it grows in ordinary soil with no acidity needed. As with all honeyberries, it requires a second, different variety to fruit. Whether you're filling a small edible bed in Edina, growing fruit on a patio in Maple Grove, or tucking a berry shrub into a Woodbury border — Cinderella thrives in zone 4b–5a (and far colder) gardens.
Cinderella Honeyberry Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lonicera caerulea 'Cinderella' |
| Plant Type | Deciduous fruiting shrub (honeyberry / haskap) |
| Mature Height | 2–3 feet |
| Mature Width | 2–3 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; sweet-tangy berries |
| Winter Hardiness | Extreme — to about -40°F; flowers tolerate light spring frost |
Cinderella Honeyberry Uses in Minnesota Gardens
Small spaces and containers
Its compact size makes Cinderella ideal for tight beds, edible edging, or a large patio container in a Plymouth yard.
Earliest fruit of the year
Like all haskaps, it fruits in June before strawberries — a head start on the berry season in Eden Prairie.
Part-shade edible
Productive even in part shade, it suits a lightly shaded edible bed where blueberries would struggle.
Best Time to Plant Cinderella 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 Cinderella Honeyberry
- Plant a second, different variety (such as Berry Blue) within 50 feet — Cinderella 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 3–4 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 Cinderella 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. Protect container roots over winter.
Can I grow Cinderella in a pot?
Yes — its compact size suits a large container. You'll still need a second honeyberry variety nearby for pollination, and you should protect potted roots in winter.
Why won't it fruit?
It needs a different honeyberry variety (like Berry Blue) blooming at the same time within about 50 feet. A lone plant won't set fruit.
Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Easily — honeyberries survive to about -40°F. Protect roots if growing in an above-ground container.
You May Also Like
- Berry Blue Honeyberry — the recommended pollinator for Cinderella
- Borealis Honeyberry — large, sweet haskap berries
- Northblue Blueberry — a compact blueberry for containers