Lonicera caerulea Siglinka

Also known as blue honeysuckle, Honeyberry or Lonicera caerulea originates from Siberia and is able to cope with the coldest areas. Creamy white flowers appear in April, followed by the unusual shaped berries, they are elongated and unevenly shaped, about 1 ½ inches long, deep blue with a white bloom; the flesh is wine-red when ripe and sweet, very rich in antioxidants, and tastes rather like honeyed blueberries. They can be eaten fresh, baked into cakes and muffins or made into jam or jelly. A mature bush can produce several pounds of berries, not all at once – it crops over a long period. The yellow, frost-resistant flowers come very early, a boon for pollinating insects. Drought-resistant and easy to grow. Lonicera caerulea Siglinka grows up to 5ft with a spherical, compact form.

Site: Sheltered site.
Soil: Any reasonably well drained soil, poor soils
Position: Full sun
Pick: June–September
Keep: A few days in the fridge
Hardiness: Very hardy
Pollination: Two varieties of Honeyberry are needed to cross-pollinate
Uses: Eating, baking, preserving
Height: 4’ (1.2m) Spread: 4’ (1.2m)