Haskap Plant Store

A Valentine Special: Aurora & Borealis Haskap Pair

In celebration of the "Holiday of Love," we're introducing the perfect haskap pair for home gardeners—Aurora and Borealis!

These two varieties complement each other beautifully, offering similar exceptional flavour and outstanding performance. Aurora produces large, easy-to-pick berries averaging 1.9 grams, with high productivity and excellent disease resistance. Selected by the University of Saskatchewan as the ideal pollinizer for Borealis, it ensures optimal fruit set.

Borealis, on the other hand, is a standout choice for U-Pick orchards and home gardens, recognized for its exceptional flavour and compact growth habit. Together, Aurora and Borealis create a perfect pairing for a bountiful and delicious harvest!

Aurora Haskap Plants

The #1 Cultivar
Most Popular Since 2014
Superior Flavour

The University of Saskatchewan introduced Aurora as the ideal pollinizer for Borealis, and since its debut, it has set the standard for commercial haskap cultivation. Aurora has earned its status as one of the most widely planted cultivars worldwide, and it is celebrated for its exceptional commercial attributes, sweeter taste, and higher productivity.

Boreal Beast Haskap Plants

4.5 out of 5 on the Flavour Scale 3 years in a Row
Best Aroma
Increased Berry Retention
Superior Flavour

The name Boreal Beast was chosen to highlight its role in the cross-pollination between the Beauty and the Beast Haskap varieties. This variety aligns its blooming period with both Boreal Blizzard and Boreal Beauty, beginning when Boreal Blizzard starts and finishing alongside Boreal Beauty. It serves as a compatible pollen source for these varieties as well as for Aurora.

Boreal Beauty Haskap Plants

Created New Season = Harvest Beauty Over a Month Later Than Others
>6-gram Berries Possible
Superior Plant Structure
Excellent Flavour

Boreal Beauty Haskap produces oval or heart-shaped berries that are thick, firm, and meaty, making them ideal for mechanical harvesting. Despite being two-thirds shorter in length than Boreal Blizzard, the berries of Boreal Beauty are nearly as heavy, with a noticeably thicker profile.

Boreal Bliss Haskap Plants

University of Saskatchewan's 1st release with 50% wild Canadian genetics
Boreal Bliss received a 4.5 out of 5 rating by panelists
Superior Flavour
Currently only available to Canadian Residents

Boreal Bliss was so named because it represents a breakthrough in flavour. In 2023, experienced growers and retired technician Rick Sawatzky highly praised its flavour, noting it was distinct from other cultivars. I recognized this ‘new’ flavour as largely derived from its wild Canadian parent. Panelists rated it between 4 and 4.5 out of 5, similar to the ratings Boreal Beast received five years earlier, although the panelists were different. The flavour of Boreal Bliss developed about a week after the berries turned blue.

Boreal Blizzard Haskap Plants

Largest Berries
Superior Flavour
1st Release with 50% Canadian Genetics
Excellent Fruit Retention

Boreal Blizzard stands out among Haskap varieties with its exceptionally large berries, as illustrated by their impressive size next to a 3.5 cm wide spoon. Well-pollinated fruits often exceed 3 grams, making them some of the heaviest in the Haskap family.

Dr. Bob Bors from the University of Saskatchewan highlights that Boreal Blizzard produces berries more than twice the weight of Borealis, and nearly three times heavier than the largest varieties from a decade ago. Unlike many other varieties, which often have air pockets, Boreal Blizzard berries are dense, meaty, and heavy, offering a substantial bite that sets them apart.

Borealis Haskap Plants

Excellent Flavour
Home Gardener Choice
Compact Size

Borealis is a charming ornamental plant with a compact size, making it a favourite among home gardeners. Its berries are notable for their plump, boxy shape, offering an excellent flavour that is highly appealing.

While Borealis is well-suited for fresh picking, it is less ideal for mechanical processing due to potential bleeding at the stem. The University of Saskatchewan has recognized Borealis as the ideal choice for U-Pick orchards and home gardens, thanks to its exceptional attributes.

Honeybee Haskap Plants

Extremely Productive
Robust, Aggressive Plant Form
Superior Berry Retention into Late August
Aurora is its Best Pollinizer

The University of Saskatchewan identified Honeybee as the perfect companion plant for the Aurora and Indigo Gem Haskap varieties. This is due to its synchronized blooming period and its ability to ensure a successful fruit set. As breeding programs have evolved, Boreal Beast has become a popular pollenizer for Aurora, yet Honeybee remains a valuable choice for its distinct advantages.

Indigo Gem Haskap Plants

High Yielder
Prostrate Plant Form
Superior Form for Ornamental and Shelterbelt Reasons
Still One of our Favourites

Indigo Gem Haskap presents a delightful and intricately sweet flavour profile, culminating in a tangy finish. While it requires pruning to maintain its desired form, it's worth noting its susceptibility to mildew on leaves. However, the yearly impact does not seem to compromise the quality or quantity of berries. As one of the initial commercial releases, it features a robust skin, making it well-suited for processing purposes.

Testimonial

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