Lonicera caerulea var. emphyllocalyx Japanese Honeyberry
15 seeds per packet
A non-climbing, deciduous, honeysuckle and is native to cool temperate regions such as high mountains or wet areas in the Northern Hemisphere, for example Hokkaido in Japan, where it is cultivated. Its large fruits are purple-blue colored, have a sweet, tangy taste and are high in vitamin C. Height 1.5 metres. Humus rich, moisture retentive soil in sun to part shade.
GROWING INSTRUCTIONS:
Sow from autumn to early spring. Cover seed thinly, press in gently and keep top of compost from drying out. Keep pot outdoors or in cold frame over winter. Seeds germinate in spring.
Alternatively, if seeds can’t be sown in autumn or early spring use the following method: mix seeds with damp vermiculite and place inside a ziplock bag, keep bag somewhere warm for 3 weeks, then place in fridge (not freezer) for 8 weeks. Next spread mixture on top of a pot, thinly cover with compost or grit and keep warm at 15 to 20°C until germination, then move to somewhere cooler.
Carefully prick out seedlings when they have developed true leaves and are large enough to transplant to individual pots for growing on.