Lonicera, Blue Honeysuckle 'Sugar Mountain Eisbar'

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

Bred in the Czech Republic (Z7a-Z8a) by Framtosel Krekci. Because its origin, it should perform better for US growers whose winters are too mild for the U of Saskatchewan cultivars to perform well.

The correct cultivar name is '54-57'. "Eisbar™" is a proprietary trade name, not the cultivar name. ("Eisbar" is German for "Polar bear.") "Sugar Mountain®" is the trademarked name for a series of four cultivars, and so it is not a part of the cultivar name.

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, protection from hot afternoon sun may be needed to prevent leaf scorch. Summer irrigation may be needed for best fruit production even in eastern N. America. Netting is required to protect ripening fruit from the birds.

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.

This cultivar is now being mass marketed in the US.