Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica Martin - May Berry

Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica 'Martin' is a variety of honeysuckle with edible fruits, hardy and robust, with abundant fruiting. Its drupes, elongated, 2 to 3 cm (1in) long, contain juicy flesh with a sweet and tangy flavour. Reminiscent of the taste of blueberries, it stands out for its richness in vitamins B and C, and antioxidants, five times higher. Delicious and pleasant to the taste, they are best enjoyed fresh, as soon as they are harvested in May. Consumption can be extended once dried or transformed into juice, jellies or jams. Hardy to -40°C (-40°F), this honeyberry thrives in the sun, but not too hot, in ordinary soil, acidic to neutral, without limestone. Forming a dense and fairly compact bush, about 1.50 m (5ft) high, it grows equally well planted in the garden or in a pot. Partially self-fertile, it is recommended to plant at least two plants, close to each other to improve fruiting. In March, the cream-white flowering, slightly fragrant, but very melliferous, attracts bees, thus promoting pollination. It is ideal for creating a small edible and decorative hedge, and can even be combined with other varieties of small fruits.

Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica, more commonly known as Honeyberry, is a shrub species of the Caprifoliaceae family, like all honeysuckles. It is native to Eastern Europe, particularly Russia and Siberian Asia, from Kamchatka to Magadan to Sakhalin Island. The edible honeysuckle has been known and consumed for a long time by indigenous populations. It is an adept of cold regions, as it can withstand -40°C (-40°F), but only -7°C (19.4°F) for its flowers. It is an interesting shrub for mountain gardens.

The 'Martin' variety is a Russian cultivar that forms a bushy, branching shrub, 1.50 m (5ft) high and 1 m (3ft) wide. The foliage is deciduous, composed of opposite, ovate, dark green leaves, slightly grayish blue, 3 to 8 cm (1 to 3in) long. Flowering occurs from March, in the form of tubular flowers, blooming in pairs, yellowish-green, quite inconspicuous, intensely visited by bees. In May-June, fruiting occurs mainly on one- and two-year-old branches. The bush is then covered with elongated, slightly pointed berries, pruinose blue in colour, 2 to 3 cm (1in) long, 0.6 to 0.9 cm (0.4in) in diameter, weighing about 1g, with a honey scent. They contain very small seeds that are not noticeable when eaten. The drupe is filled with a yellowish-green, juicy, sweet and tangy pulp, similar to that of blueberries in both flavour and appearance. The harvest is staggered as the fruits ripen, when their flesh turns red. The yield of a honeyberry plant is approximately 4 to 5 kg of fruit per plant, depending on the age and cultivation conditions of the plant. To improve fruiting, it is preferable to plant at least two plants. Being melliferous, the flowers will attract bees for good pollination. The fruits are rich in vitamins B and C, fiber, minerals, and well supplied with antioxidants.

In the kitchen: Once harvested, the honeyberries only keep for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator, preferably in the vegetable drawer. The fruits of the Martin honeyberry can be enjoyed fresh, and for more indulgence, they can be sprinkled with a little granulated sugar. Excellent in jellies or jams, they can also be used to make fruit salads, muffins or smoothies, tarts... and also very fruity, slightly acidic juices. When dried, the berries retain all their nutritional values. To extend the enjoyment, the fruits can easily be frozen.

The Honeyberry is ideal for transforming your garden into an edible or rustic hedge. It thrives in sunny positions, but sheltered from the burning sun, in fertile soil low in limestone. For delicious harvests and tastings, it can be combined with raspberries, currants or thornless blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, or even Goji berries (Lycium barbarum) or other varieties of small fruits. It can even be planted in a container on a patio to fully enjoy this beautiful shrub. For a colourful decoration, ornamental shrubs like lilacs, mock oranges, abelias or Kolkwitzia will do the trick, taking care, however, that their root system does not encroach on the living space of our blue honeysuckle. From spring onwards, fully savour the fragrance of the Honeyberry!