Russia’s blue honeysuckle could become part of prairie orchards if
field trials are successful next summer.
Bob Bors, of the University of Saskatchewan plant sciences department,
said the popular Russian fruit is hardy, growing at latitudes higher
than the Canadian Prairies.
It can take frost on the flowers to Ð7 C, even handling temperatures as
low as Ð10 C.
“It makes fruit quick, and gets it out quick and then goes dormant,”
said Bors, a featured speaker at the Saskatchewan Fruit Growers
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Some gardeners are familiar with a blue honeysuckle grown for the last
40 years in Canada as an ornamental with “terrible” tasting fruit.
By contrast, the Russian blue honeysuckle is similar to blueberries,
with a sweet-sour taste of black currants. It can be used like
blueberries, for fresh or processing markets.
Bors said it could offer fruit growers another crop and extend their
growing season, noting the honeysuckle ripens two to three weeks before
strawberries.
The fruit can be mechanically harvested, as it comes off easily and
ripens uniformly. It is also virtually pest-free, he said.
Plants come into full production within three years, but can produce
one year after planting.
“I don’t know of any bush fruit that comes in that fast,” he said.
Bors, who will spend the winter propagating enough plants for the
summer trials, expects to have as many as 30 varieties from which to
choose for trials at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, and
nearby locations at Rosthern and Bruno.
