Lonicera, Haskap, Blue Honeysuckle 'Yezberry Maxie'

The largest haskap fruit yet. For fruiting, it requires a compatible pollenizer plant nearby for cross-pollination. 'Kapu' (Yezberry™ S...Read Moreolo™) is a compatible pollenizer.

Both cultivars are pure haskap, L. caerulea var. emphyllocalyx---the variety native to Japan---without hybridization from European varieties. They may be a better bet than the U. of Saskatchewan hybrids for USDA Zones 5 and warmer.

Bred in Corvallis, OR by Maxine Thompson. It is now being mass marketed in the US.

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. Ripening fruit will be harvested by the birds unless protected by netting.

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.

The cultivar name is 'Kuchi'. "Yezberry™" is a trademark for the series, and not part of a cultivar name. "Maxie™" is a proprietary trade name for this cultivar.