Haskap is a hardy, early-fruiting deciduous shrub prized for its elongated blue berries and exceptional cold tolerance, making it ideal for Prairie climates. Plants form a compact to upright, multi-stemmed shrub with soft green foliage and a naturally tidy habit. Small, pale yellow flowers appear very early in spring, often before leaf emergence, and are highly frost tolerant. ‘Berry Blue’ is valued for its heavy yields and vigorous growth, producing long, sweet-tart berries, while ‘Tundra’ is known for its large, firm fruit with excellent flavor and uniform shape, well suited to fresh eating and processing. Both cultivars provide reliable production in Regina when planted together for cross-pollination.
- Size: Height: 5–6 ft (1.5–1.8 m) tall × 4–5 ft (1.2–1.5 m) wide. Habit: Upright to slightly spreading, multi-stemmed shrub
- Hardiness: Extremely cold hardy; reliable to Zone 2 and colder
- Light: Full sun to light shade; best fruiting in full sun
- Soil: Well-drained soil preferred; adaptable to loam or clay with good drainage
- Water: Moderate; consistent moisture improves berry size and yield
- Pollination: Requires cross-pollination; plant Berry Blue and Tundra together for best production
- Pruning: Minimal when young; remove oldest stems every few years once established
- Maintenance: Low; mulch to conserve moisture and protect shallow roots
- Wildlife: Netting may be required to protect fruit from birds