Aurora - one of the best mid-season/late varieties of honeyberry/haskap with big berries and delicious sweet taste. This variety was created in 2012 by the University of Saskatchewan by crossing Russian and Japanese varieties of honeyberry.
According to reports from Polish farmers, Aurora seedlings planted in November 2015 yielded 2.45 kg (5.4 lb) per bush in 2019 with a sugar level (BRIX) 15-16% and an average berry weight of 2.0-2.4g, plants reached a height of 1.5m (59 inches). More information about this variety can be found here.
This variety is an excellent choice for home gardens, U-picks and commercial harvester type orchards.
All varieties of honeyberry are cross-pollinated (they don't pollinate themselves), which means for a productive harvest you need another variety of honeyberry that match the timing of blooming. Aurora blooms at the same time as Blue Banana, Boreal Beast, Indigo Gem, Tundra, Blue Dessert, Larissa/Wojtek...).
Since the number of plants is limited, only those orders that are paid are considered reserved. Plants placed in the cart but not paid for are not considered reserved.
Honeyberry/Haskap has a taste that resembles a combination of raspberry and wild blueberry. The berries can be used for eating fresh, baking, smoothies, sorbet, wine, jams and jellies, freezing or drying. Haskaps are high in vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants.
Since the original place of growth of honeyberry is the East of Russia, the Kuril Islands and Japan, it grows well in zones 2-7 and withstands frosts down to -40C.
In order for the berries to reach maximum sweetness and size, the plant must be planted in a sunny place (10-12 hours of direct sunlight).
Honeyberry have a shallow root system that is very easily damaged by weeding tools and can also dry out quickly in hot weather. To ensure optimal growth conditions, moderately fertile, well-drained soil with a pH 6-7 and the use of mulch (wood chips, weed barrier fabric, hay) are recommended.
We want to draw your special attention to the harvest. Approximately 3-4 weeks after blooming, the berries will begin to change color and acquire a characteristic dark blue color with a light waxy coating. ATTENTION!!! These are not ripe berries yet (they are green inside and sour) !!! They will need at least another 4-6 weeks (depending on the variety and weather conditions) to reach their maximum ripeness (the flesh becomes burgundy, the berries reach their maximum sugar level) ...However, it should also be taken into account that as the berries ripen, more and more "helpers" who want to taste them will visit your garden. Birds and raccoons will be your main assistants in “harvesting”. So once the berries start to change color from green to blue we highly recommend using netting to completely cover your bushes and keep the berries until fully ripe.
Each plant (4 years old) is delivered in a 3.5 gallon growing bag and has a very well developed closed root system. By the time of delivery, many of them will already be fruiting and have reached a height of more than 2 feet.
To place an order you need to send us an e-mail with the name of the variety and number of desired plants.
Payment: cash or e-transfer demeterfarmns@gmail.com
Price: $35 per plant + taxes