These plants ship November through May from Pense Berry Farms in Mountainburg, Arkansas. Orders placed between May 21 and October 31 ship in November and December. Online orders of products from Pense Berry Farms require a $150.00 minimum. For smaller orders, please contact us.
1-gallon container.
Key Characteristics of Honey Bee Honeyberry:
Origin: 'Honey Bee' is a cultivar of the Blue Honeysuckle or Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea) developed at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada as part of their extensive honeyberry breeding program. It was selected for its pollination compatibility with other early-blooming varieties and its contribution to overall fruit set. It is considered a key pollinator variety within the program's early-ripening selections.
Patent Status: Honey Bee Honeyberry, as a cultivar developed by the University of Saskatchewan, is protected under certificate 5750 until 2038-06-04.
Berry Production: While 'Honey Bee' is primarily valued as a pollinator, it does produce its own crop of medium-sized, elongated, dark blue berries with a whitish bloom. The berries have a sweet-tart flavor, typical of honeyberries, often described as a blend of blueberry and raspberry with a slightly tangy note. Its yield is generally considered moderate when planted on its own and is maximized when it effectively pollinates nearby female varieties.
Ripening Time: 'Honey Bee' is an early-blooming and early-ripening honeyberry variety, typically maturing in late spring to early summer (around late May to June), often ripening alongside or slightly before other early varieties like 'Borealis' and 'Tundra'. Its early bloom time is crucial for its role as a pollinator for other early cultivars.
Plant Size and Appearance: 'Honey Bee' is a compact, upright, deciduous shrub that typically reaches a mature height and spread of 3 to 4 feet. It has small, oval, bluish-green leaves. Its growth habit is generally well-suited for garden settings.
Flowers: In early spring, it produces small, inconspicuous, greenish-white, tubular flowers that are attractive to early pollinators. Its bloom time overlaps well with other early and mid-early honeyberry varieties, making it an effective pollinator.
Hardiness: Honeyberries, including 'Honey Bee', are exceptionally hardy, typically growing well in USDA Zones 2 through 8, making them suitable for very cold climates.
Pollination: 'Honey Bee' is a male-flowering variety and is essential as a pollinator for many early and mid-early blooming female honeyberry cultivars, such as 'Borealis', 'Tundra', 'Indigo Gem', and 'Aurora'. It provides the necessary pollen for these varieties to set fruit. For optimal fruit production on female varieties, it is crucial to plant 'Honey Bee' or another compatible male pollinator nearby (within about 50 feet).
Growing Conditions:
Sunlight: Prefers full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight) for optimal fruit production on the female varieties it pollinates. It can tolerate some partial shade.
Soil: Adaptable to a range of soil types but thrives in well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil that is rich in organic matter.
Watering: Requires consistent moisture, especially during establishment and the flowering/fruiting period of the plants it pollinates.
Pruning: Generally requires minimal pruning. Pruning, if needed, should focus on removing any dead or damaged wood and maintaining an open shape.
Uses: Primarily grown as a pollinator for early and mid-early blooming female honeyberry varieties to ensure good fruit set. It also produces its own edible berries, which can be used fresh or in preserves.
Wildlife Value: The early flowers attract early-season pollinators. The berries are also a food source for birds.
Ornamental Value: 'Honey Bee' has a neat and compact growth habit that can make it a suitable addition to edible landscapes. Its bluish-green foliage also provides some visual interest.
Disease and Pest Resistance: Honeyberries, including 'Honey Bee', are generally quite resistant to common pests and diseases.
