Honeyberry Wojtek

Grown for its sweet, nutritious, honey-flavoured berries, Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica Wojtek is a medium-sized, deciduous shrub with a rounded habit and oval, green leaves. Sweetly scented, creamy-yellow flowers appear in late winter or early spring, so may need hand-pollination. These are followed in June and July by long, almost oblong, deep blue berries with a white bloom. The berries are both tart and sweet; they ripen over a long period, and should be picked as soon as they ripen. Honeyberries can be eaten fresh, baked into pies and muffins or made into jam; they have deep red flesh and are very rich in antioxidants. Honeyberry Wojtek is easy to grow and attractive enough to be grown in a border as well as the kitchen garden.

Site: Tolerates exposure
Soil: Any well-drained, fertile, moist soil
Position: Full sun
Pick: Spring, autumn
Keep: A day or two in the fridge; good for preserves
Pollination: Self-fertile, but will crop better with a different cultivar nearby
Hardiness: Very hardy
Height: 5’ (1.5m) Spread: 5’ (1.5m)