Over the past five years, SeedLinked has become a go-to platform for trialing and evaluating annual crops, empowering over 14,500 growers and 35 partner organizations to trial more than 5,750 varieties across 850+ collaborative trials. While our roots are in tomatoes, peppers, grains, and other annuals, 2024 marked a turning point: SeedLinked is going perennial.
And we’re starting with one promising—and underappreciated—perennial crops for northern growers: Honeyberry, also known as Haskap (Lonicera caerulea).
Why Start with Honeyberry?
Honeyberry is an early-fruiting, cold-hardy perennial berry that thrives in northern climates and organic systems. Originally bred in Russia and Japan and further improved in North America over the past 10-15 years, honeyberry stands out for:
- Suitability for USDA zones 2-7
- Adaptation to short growing seasons
- Applications for U-pick, CSA, fresh market, and processing (juice, jam, wine)
- Ecosystem services
But despite its potential, adoption is risky. Establishment requires patience—3-4 years before full yields—and significant investment:
- $4-6 per plant
- $3,800+/acre for bird netting
- 80% of production costs go to manual harvest
Making the right varietal choice is critical.
Variety Selection: High Stakes, High Reward
Honeyberry is not a one-variety crop. Most growers need multiple varieties for cross-pollination, and success depends on compatibility, flowering overlaps, and ripening time. Performance varies significantly by zone, management system, and end use (fresh vs. processed).
honeyberries has 2 mains types:
1. Russian-Type Varieties
Lonicera caerulea var. kamtschatica/edulis
- Extremely cold-hardy (down to -40°C)
- Early bloom and fruit set
- Tart, cylindrical berries Examples: Indigo Gem, Aurora, Berry Blue
2. Japanese-Type Varieties
Lonicera caerulea var. emphyllocalyx
- Slightly less hardy but later blooming (avoids spring frost)
- Larger, often sweeter berries with teardrop or heart shapes Examples: Keiko, Tana, Kawai, Yezberry® series Variety Spotlights: Grower-Backed Top Picks
Our 2024 season brought rich data from 18 growers across 6 U.S. states and 2 Canadian provinces. Here’s a look at some of the standout performers based on real-world reviews:
Boreal Beast (Late-Season, Russian-Type)
- Large, firm, oblong berries with a sweet-tart, banana-like flavor
- Upright architecture, ideal for mechanical harvest
- Excellent for fresh and processing; stores and freezes well
- Consistent, high yields — 1.5 pints/plant in user reports 👉 Pair with Boreal Blizzard or Boreal Beauty for pollination See on SeedLinked →
Aurora (Mid-Season, Russian-Type)
- Early ripening, sweet-tart flavor—consistently top-rated for taste
- Oblong, juicy berries with blueberry-like aroma
- Upright growth, easy harvest
- Yields up to 7.7 lbs/plant at maturity 👉 Pair with Borealis or Tundra for pollination See on SeedLinked →
Keiko (Mid-Late, Japanese-Type)
- Larger, sweeter berries, often heart-shaped
- Newer variety from Dr. Maxine Thompson’s Oregon program
- Better suited for fresh market and southern growers (late bloom avoids frost)
Additional Noteworthy Varieties
- Tundra: Compact and early, great for container growing
- Boreal Beauty: Late, flavorful, and excellent companion for Beast
- Honey Gin: Unique floral notes; favored in tastings
Crowdsourced Innovation: The SeedLinked Honeyberry Trial
In partnership with growers, researchers Steffen Mirsky , and breeders, we launched a 2-year SARE-funded initiative titled:
“Establishing Honeyberry Collaborative Trials using SeedLinked to Crowdsource Cultivar Performance Data and Inform Grower Selections.”
2024 Highlights:
- 18 growers actively submitted data
- 29 varieties evaluated, here live results
- 599 trait ratings, 203 qualitative comments
- Top traits: Yield, berry characteristic Flavor, Bloom Timing, Harvest Duration
Growers used SeedLinked’s mobile app and web dashboard to track:
- Yield (Lb/plant)
- Marketability yield (fresh and processed)
- Flavor (fresh and processed)
- Berry shape, size, and uniformity
- Plant habit (upright vs. spreading)
- Bloom and harvest window
- Management challenges (weed pressure, netting, harvest method)
Platform Upgrades for Perennial Crops
To meet the needs of perennial systems, we’re upgrading SeedLinked with:
- Multi-year trial capacity (starting winter 2025)
- Crop-specific trait ontologies (e.g., bloom timing, harvest duration)
- Peer discussion feeds and community photo galleries
- Geo-specific cultivar insights for better regional recommendations
Looking Ahead: Perennials Are the Future
Honeyberry is just the start. We’re planning to expand trials to:
- Hazelnuts
- Currants & Elderberries
- Perennial tree fruits (e.g., apples, peach)
As interest grows in regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, and climate-resilient systems, the demand for collaborative perennial crop research will grow.
We believe that crowdsourced, decentralized data = faster adoption + better outcomes for all stakeholders.
Join the Perennial movement
If you’re a grower, breeder, extension agent, nursery, or value chain player interested in perennials—now get involved, reach out to us
You can:
- Start or join a honeyberry trial, Share your data and photos
- Reach out to us to pilot SeedLinked on other perrenials, Contribute to trait design and platform feedback
- Use insights to support your customers and networks
Let’s build the tools—and the community—to power perennial crop innovation.