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Honeyberry Plants #859317

Asked February 17, 2024, 12:42 PM EST

I would like to grow honeyberry (Haskap) plants at my ranch  at 8600 feet elevation.

Will the honeyberry  plants grow well at this elevation?

Conejos County Colorado

Expert Response

Honeyberry should grow in the USDA plant hardiness zones 2-8 (some say 2-7). They grow best in the cooler zones 2-4. All the information I find shows it can grow up to 7,000 feet elevation. I haven't seen anything that shows it growing over 7,000 feet. The following URL from Utah State University has information on growing Honeyberries.

https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1750&context=extension_curall

The following URL's are from commercial growers that appears to have good information about growing honeyberries. I am not recommending or sponsoring the companies.

https://www.berriesunlimited.com/growing-honeyberries/info_22.html#topOfPage

https://honeyberryusa.com/about-honeyberry.html

Best of luck,

Marvin

Marvin Reynolds Replied February 29, 2024, 6:16 PM EST
Dear Marvin,
I want to thank you for all the information you provided concerning growing and producing haskap berries at high elevations.

I also got a response from Kathy Wilderholt the U of North Dakota in charge of experimenting with haskaps, where she wasn’t sure about the elevation issue, but gave me some varieties that might work, the Russian type was advised.

I have been fascinated by the nutritional value of the haskap, its cold hardiness, the very early pollination the flowers provide, and ofcourse its tastiness.  With all this to consider, I believe it will be wise to experiment with haskaps, find out how they grow and produce here at Spirit Bear Ranch.  Initially, just a small investment.

The science of horticulture is fascinating!  

Our ranch is inside the Rio Grande National Forest (it was established in 1885, before the National Forest), 161 deeded acres, a riparian area in a canyon, with lots of sunshine.  So far, I’ve been pretty successful at growing native wildflowers and grass.  Maybe haskaps?

Enjoy the Spring growing season!
Sincerely,
Patricia DeLoss McWilliams
Spirit Bear Ranch
Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 29, 2024, at 4:16 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:


The Question Asker Replied March 01, 2024, 10:44 AM EST

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