Hi, I am trying to find Lonicera edible here in greater Vancouver area (Maple Ridge). Has anyone grown it? Any problems? There is not much info about it. I used to grow this shrub in Russia, the berries are really delicious. So, I would like to plant it here. I found a picture of it. Any suggestions?
I have seen this offered from nurseries in NW USA. It should do very well in this region, maybe too well? Some of the honeysuckles are notorious invasives in N. America (L. japonica, tatarica, maakii) Fruiting honeysuckle may not have become as popular in this region because of the ease of growing a wide variety of blueberries, huckleberries, and other native berries. I have never tried them are they as delicious as our native berries?
Listed as Lonicera caerulea edulis, SWEET-BERRY HONEYSUCKLE on page 451 of Sunset WESTERN GARDEN BOOK. Zoned there for coldest winter climates only. "Edible, teardrop-shaped blue berries ripen in mid- to late spring; they resemble highbush blueberries but are not as sweet, though experimentation in Russia is producing improved varieties. Produce crops even north of the Arctic Circle. Early warm spells sometimes induce flowers to open before the last frost; they then suffer cold damage."
anituchka I have seen it for sale at Gardenworks on the lougheed and also at Mandeville Gardens you may also want to check out Cedar Rim in Langley
pierrot I think the berries are even tastier than blueberries, or, actually, any berry I've eaten! But I am speaking of the honeysuckle I used to have in my garden in Russia. That might be a special hybrid, as Ron B mentioned.
