PLANT A HONEYBERRY

Honeyberries (Lonicera caerulea) are an unusual fruit but easy to grow and worth a try. They’re shrubby honeysuckles with small, cream flowers that generally grow to 1.5m (5ft) high and wide. The fruit are rather like elongated blueberries, but they aren’t fussy about soil. Native to Siberia, they’re very hardy and will grow in sun or part shade. They need no special pruning and can be planted in a shrub border. They’re useful because they ripen earlier than most soft fruit and the berries are purple-black, covered in white bloom. They’re sweet but rather tart, ideal for smoothies, pies, jam and even wine. Although self-fertile, it’s best to plant two or more varieties close together.