Lonicera, Bearberry Honeysuckle, Blue Honeysuckle, Sweetberry Honeysuckle 'Sugar Mountain Balalaika'

This species is not self-fertile and requires a second compatible clone nearby for fruit set. This cultivar is sold as a pollinizer for "...Read MoreSugar Mountain™ Blue" and the other two cultivars of the Sugar Mountain™ series.

Bred in the Czech Republic (Z7a-8a) by Framtosel Krekci. Because of its origin, this cultivar should perform better for US growers whose winters are too mild for the U of Saskatchewan cultivars to perform well.

This species requires cool summers. In eastern N. America, Z6 is probably the southernmost end of its useful range. Toward the southern end of its range, it may need protection from hot afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch. It may need summer irrigation for best fruit production even in eastern N. America.

Fully ripened fruits are said to be large and sweet. Unripe fruits are bitter. Fruits turn blue several weeks before ripening. Fully ripe fruits have dark purple flesh. Ripening fruit will be harvested by the birds unless protected by netting.

This cultivar is now being mass marketed in the US.

The cultivar name is 'Stimul'. "Sugar Mountain®" is the trademarked name for a series of four cultivars, and so it is not a part of the cultivar name. "Balalaika™" is a proprietary trade name.