This is the first self-fertile blue honeysuckle cultivar. (It is apomictic). Fruits will be larger and fruit set greater if there is a se...Read Morecond compatible clone nearby for cross-fertilization. All of the other three Sugar Mountain® cultivars are suitable pollinizers for this cultivar. This species is not self-fertile and usually requires a second compatible clone for fruit set.
Bred in the Czech Republic (Z7a-8a) by Framtosel Krekci. Because of its origin, it should perform better for N. American growers whose winters are too mild for the U of Saskatchewan cultivars to perform well.
The cultivar name is 'Dolce Vita'. "Sugar Mountain®" is the trademarked name for a series of four interfertile cultivars, and so it is not a part of the cultivar name.
Toward the southern end of its range, it may need protection from hot afternoon sun to prevent leaf scorch. It may also need summer irrigation even in eastern N. America for best fruit production. Ripening fruit will be harvested by the birds unless protected by netting.
Fully ripened fruits are said to be large (18-20 mm) and sweet. Unripe fruits are bitter. Fruits turn blue several weeks before ripening. Fully ripe fruits have dark purple flesh.
This cultivar is now being mass marketed in the US.
This is the first self-fertile blue honeysuckle cultivar. (It is apomictic). Fruits will be larger and fruit set greater if there is a se...Read More