Maxie Edible Honeysuckle

(Lonicera caerulea ssp. emphyllocalyx)

The Maxie edible honeysuckle bush is well-suited for moderate climates, such as those found in Virginia. Our experience with growing edible honeysuckle varieties since 1989 has yielded modest harvests, but Maxie and Solo varieties may prove to be more productive. The berries from these varieties are expected to be sweeter, with a sugar content of around 18 brix (a measure of fruit sugar, with 18 being the minimum for California grapes to be dried into raisins).

These varieties were bred by Maxine Thompson, who used a Japanese subspecies of honeysuckle in her breeding work. This has resulted in plants that are both more adaptable and produce sweeter fruit. In Japan, these plants are known as Haskap.

Plant Characteristics:

• Pollination: Maxie requires pollination by Solo for optimal fruit production.
• Flowering Period: The flowers bloom later than other popular varieties, which is beneficial for areas with fluctuating winter temperatures.
• Bush Size: The plants are compact and attractive, making them an excellent addition to the garden. Space plants 3 feet apart in a circular pattern.
• Hardiness Zones: 3–8.

Plant Features:

• Pest Resistance: Excellent
• Disease Resistance: Excellent
• Drought Tolerance: Fair
• Heat Tolerance: Very Good
• Humidity Tolerance: Very Good
• Sun Tolerance: Good
• Wet Soil Tolerance: Poor
• Shade Tolerance: Fair
• No Spray: Excellent (Minimal pesticide requirements)
• Salt Tolerance: Poor
• Fresh for Kids: Very Good (Safe and appealing for children)
• Deer Resistance: Fair
• Thorns: None
• Plant Type: Shrub
• Soil Type: Adaptable to a range of soils
• Edible Type: Fruit (Tasty, sweet berries)
• Self Fertile: No (Requires a pollinator such as Solo)

Shipping Restrictions:

Maxie Honeysuckle cannot be shipped to California due to import restrictions.

Edible Honeysuckle Care Guide

Edible Honeysuckle are among the first fruits of the season
A unique member of the Honeysuckle family native to Eastern Siberia. This very hardy deciduous species has been a valued fruiting plant for ages and yet is virtually unknown in Europe and America. An attractive small bush, it produces tasty small fruits about the size and flavor of blueberries. Small white, slightly fragrant flowers appear in March. Fruit ripens two weeks before strawberries. Very easy to grow with no pest or disease problems.

Site & Soil
Edible Honeysuckle is a shade-loving plant in all areas except the far north, where it is happy in full sun. It prefers moderately well-drained, yet moist, soil. Mulching with compost, peat moss or decomposed manure helps maintain adequate soil moisture.

Pollination
Honeysuckle is not self-fertile. Plant at least two varieties if fruit is desired. When we ship we sent two different types.

Bearing age
1-2 years after planting.

Hardiness

Honeysuckle bush in snow

One of the hardiest fruiting plants, to minus 40*F minus 40*C (zone3).