Featured Plant
Honeyberry
A very unique plant, Honeyberry is actually a species of Honeysuckle with sweet and tasty fruit. The Honeysuckle family consists of over 200 species of vines and bushes, almost all of which are used solely as decorative plants. This very hardy species is a small bush native to Eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East, where, from ancient times, the native people have gathered and consumed the fruit in large quantities. Honeyberry is particularly valued for its tasty blueberry–like fruit, its extremely early ripening, at least two weeks before strawberries, and for its exceptional hardiness, to below minus 40° F.
How To Grow
Site & Soil: Honeyberry is not too fussy about soils and climate. Moist soils are best, either naturally or with irrigation. It will not survive, however, in very wet areas where the ground water is at the surface for long periods of time. As with most fruit and berry plants, good light exposure is important. In the Willamette Valley and other regions where the summers are relatively hot, partial shade is recommended. Plants can be spaced four to five feet apart. To maintain adequate soil moisture, mulching with compost, peat moss or other similar material is helpful. Water regularly during dry spells. For healthy, vigorous growth, apply compost, composted manure, or other fertilizer in fall or early spring.
Pollination: Not self–fertile. Plant at least two varieties if fruit is desired.
Hardiness: One of the very hardiest fruiting plants - to minus 40° F, Zones 3–7.
Bearing Age: First or second year after planting.
Pests and Diseases: No insect or disease damage has been observed or reported. Birds love the fruit, so netting the bushes may be necessary.
Pruning: Removal of dead branches is the only pruning recommended during the first three to five years after planting. After this, every two to three years in early spring, before growth begins, remove broken branches and thin out weak and small shoots from the center of the bush.
Summer Gardening Tips!
Well it may have taken awhile for summer to get here, but it is certainly sizzling out now! Check out these watering tips to keep your plants happy and healthy through this heat.
The best time to water your plants is in the morning. This helps to eliminate water loss to evaporation. Hand watering is best for your plants. Make sure to apply the water directly to the soil. Avoid if possible getting any foliage wet when watering, as when the sun hits the water droplets your foliage may become scoured. In this heat, your potted plants will want to be watered at least once a day. Check the soil around any plants you have planted directly in the ground. Water these plants when the top few inches of soil becomes crumbly and dry. The top six inches of soil should be moist. If watering is needed, clay soils should be given around 1 inch of water, and sandy soils should be given a 1/2 inch of water. This can be measured by placing a flat sided container on the ground while watering.
Going away for a couple of days? Move your containers to a shadier location to help slow the lose of moisture and find a helpful neighbor to keep an eye on your plants. Some people group their containers together, and fill a 5 gallon bucket full of water. Cut strips of absorbent fabric, placing one end in the bucket of water and one end in your container. The water from the bucket will be wicked to your plants as the soil drys out. It is best to try this at least once before heading out of town to make sure that this method works for you. Another great option is adding our Soil Moist Granules, which are polymer granules which absorb water similar to a sponge and release water as your plants start to dry out. These are great for hanging baskets and containers.
Pruning Guide
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SPRING
Azalea*
Barberry
Boxwood
Clethra
Dogwood
Forsythia*
Lilac*
Magnolia*
Nikko Blue Hydrangea*
Viburnums
Weigela*
Juniper
Spruce
Pine
Yew
Arborvitae
Rose
Blueberry
Rhododendro
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FALL
Amur Maple
Serviceberry/Juneberry
Glossy Black Chokeberry
Cotoneaster
Euonymous
Annabelle Hydrangea
Pee Gee type Hydrangeas
Winterberry
Honeysuckle
Mockorange
Ninebark
Purpleleaf Sandcherry
Willow
Raspberry
Elm
Maple
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WINTER
Apple
Cherry
Pear
Plum
Oak
Birch
Ash
Linden
Crabapple
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Any Season- Spirea & Potentilla
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*prune after flowering
Hardiness: One of the very hardiest fruiting plants - to minus 40° F, Zones 3–7.
Site & Soil: Honeyberry is not too fussy about soils and climate. Moist soils are best, either naturally or with irrigation. It will not survive, however, in very wet areas where the ground water is at the surface for long periods of time. As with most fruit and berry plants, good light exposure is important. In the Willamette Valley and other regions where the summers are relatively hot, partial shade is recommended. Plants can be spaced four to five feet apart. To maintain adequate soil moisture, mulching with compost, peat moss or other similar material is helpful. Water regularly during dry spells. For healthy, vigorous growth, apply compost, composted manure, or other fertilizer in fall or early spring.
A very unique plant, Honeyberry is actually a species of Honeysuckle with sweet and tasty fruit. The Honeysuckle family consists of over 200 species of vines and bushes, almost all of which are used solely as decorative plants. This very hardy species is a small bush native to Eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East, where, from ancient times, the native people have gathered and consumed the fruit in large quantities. Honeyberry is particularly valued for its tasty blueberry–like fruit, its extremely early ripening, at least two weeks before strawberries, and for its exceptional hardiness, to below minus 40° F.