Although also called honeyberry and sweetberry, haskap is the oldest name for this fruit, first used eight centuries ago by the Ainu people who settled Hokkaido, Japan. Its people still gather the berries from the wild there every summer.
It is also native to the boreal forests of northern Europe, Asia and North America.
Haskaps are found in every province in Canada. The wild shrubs native to Asia produce the largest berries, but the newer hybrids can be twice as large as those originally found anywhere in the wild.
Haskaps are one of the most nutritious berries grown in Canada, winning in most antioxidant and nutraceutical tests. Blueberries are their closest competitors.
The plants are well-behaved. They neither sucker nor are they invasive. Most grow from four to seven feet in height. Individual plants should be spaced four to five feet apart with those intended to form a hedgerow three feet apart. They are best mulched after planting as their roots are shallow and hoeing or tilling too deeply would injure them.
Among the first fruits to bloom in early spring, their flowers can tolerate temperatures of -7 C and still produce fruit. Haskap varieties are self-incompatible and require compatible varieties (that bloom at the same time) for cross-pollination.
The University of Saskatchewan Fruit Program first planted haskaps in their trial plots in 1997 and has been evaluating, breeding and selecting them since 2001. To date, eight varieties have been released. Bob Bors, head of the fruit program, said they were named to reflect their northern origins.
Early and mid-season:
Of these, Bors’ favourites are Aurora and Honey Bee. They are larger plants and produce lots of fruit.
Aurora (2011), named after Bors’ daughter, is considered the best tasting of this category. The berries, ripening the last week in June, are shaped like long pointed pears and weigh nearly two grams. Its low acidity gives it a sweeter taste. Bushes are five to 5.5 feet. Pollinators include Tundra, Borealis, Indigo and Honey Bee.
Borealis (2007) produces oval berries on a beautiful rounded bush of four feet with large leaves that hide the fruit!. The berries weigh about 1.5 grams and are considered good tasting. Pollinators include Aurora and Honey Bee.
Honey Bee (2011) is one of the fastest growing and highest yielding varieties. The berries look like stretched bullets and weigh about two grams. The fruit is good tasting, tangy and possesses “mouth feel” suitable for wine or juice. The upright bushes are six by four feet and may require branch thinning by their third year. Plant it with Aurora, Tundra, Borealis or the Indigo series for cross-pollination.
Indigo Gem, Indigo Treat and Indigo Yum (2007) are similar to each other. Originally released as test plants, growers later requested they be named. The shrubs are about four feet in height, spreading and open, allowing the berries to be easily seen. The fruit average 1.25 grams and ripen the last week of June. Plant with Aurora or Honey Bee for cross-pollination.
Tundra (2007) has firmer berries with good flavour, are less prone to damage during picking and have a long shelf life in the refrigerator. They have the highest level of neutraceuticals and antioxidants of all of the varieties. Plant with Aurora or Honey Bee for cross-pollination.
Next week’s article will continue with descriptions of the later ripening haskap varieties, their planting and care.
Want to grow haskaps? Most garden centres carry them. They will also be available at the university’s annual plant sale, at their Field Headquarters on 14th Street. The next sale will be in June 2019.
Sara Williams is the author and coauthor of many books including Gardening Naturally with Hugh Skinner, the revised and expanded Creating the Prairie Xeriscape and, with Bob Bors, the recently published Growing Fruit in Northern Gardens. She continues to give workshops on a wide range of gardening topics throughout the prairies.
— This column is provided courtesy of the Saskatchewan Perennial Society (saskperennial@hotmail.com). Check the website (www.saskperennial.ca) or Facebook page (www.facebook.com/saskperennial) for a list of upcoming gardening events: Aug. 12, 1to 4 p.m. - SHA Provincial Show, Davies Arena, 810 Woodward Ave., Indian Head, ( www.icangarden.ca/clubs/SHA/).
