The best varieties of edible honeysuckle for Belarus
Several centuries ago, honeysuckle was considered an exclusively ornamental shrub: it was believed that its fruits were poisonous. Now culture is found on the personal plots of not only Russian, but also Belarusian gardeners. It is unpretentious in cultivation and ripens earlier than other crops: the first fruits are harvested at the beginning of summer. The rich vitamin composition of the berries allows them to be used in folk medicine, and the sweet pulp with a tart aftertaste - in cooking.
Consider the popular edible varieties of honeysuckle in Belarus, the features of their planting and care.
The content of the article
Requirements for choosing a variety of honeysuckle for Belarus
For Belarus, unpretentious varieties with strong immunity are chosen. Otherwise, the honeysuckle will often hurt and show low yields. If the crop is planted in regions with severe weather changes, it must be frost-resistant, with hot and scorching summer sun - drought-resistant.
Another advantage of the berry is shade tolerance and decorativeness. If gardeners plant a plant not only for harvesting, but also for decorating the garden, then they pay attention to the size, color and shape of the flowers. Beautiful shrubs are placed along the fence or in the corners of the site.
Features of planting and care
Planting honeysuckle in early fall is recommended. Heavy clay and light sandy soils are not suitable for the crop - better give preference to loamy or sandy loam mixtures... The depth of the pit for planting is about 30 cm, the diameter is 50 cm. 2 kg of overripe manure, 40 g of potash and 60 g of phosphorus fertilizers are introduced into each pit. The seedling is placed in a hole, the roots are straightened and covered with earth. Plants are watered abundantly, mulched and covered with compost soil.
Attention! The distance between the bushes should be at least 2.5 m.If the plants are planted more densely, the picking and care becomes more difficult. Honeysuckle is located from south to north.
Water the culture 4-5 times per season, avoiding waterlogging. Fertilized three times: in early spring, in June and early October. The first top dressing consists of 2 buckets of humus and 50 g of superphosphate, it provides an annual growth and budding. The second time, the mineral complex is added, the third - 10-15 g of superphosphate and potassium salt. To protect against sawflies and spider mites, foliar feeding is organized: the bushes are sprayed with infusion of tomato tops with tobacco and laundry soap.
Beneficial features
Honeysuckle berries contain pectins, vitamins A and B, potassium, iron, phosphorus, organic acids. The fruits have antioxidant properties, prevent capillary fragility and strengthen the immune system. Juice from fresh berries heals wounds, and the broth has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Eating honeysuckle improves the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and normalizes metabolism.
A selection of the best varieties for Belarus
What should be the Belarusian honeysuckle? Some people value berries for their size and weight, others for their taste and appearance. Consider a description of popular varieties.
Jug-shaped
The bushes at the Pitcher are medium-sized with a compact crown, do not take up much space on the site. The shoots are thick of medium length, the leaves are dark green. The berries are oval-cylindrical, pitcher-shaped, the average fruit weight is 1 g.The color is dark blue, with a thick waxy coating. The pulp is tender and juicy, the taste is sweet and sour. The pitcher ripens early, in early June. Berries do not crumble or crack, productivity - up to 1.5 kg per plant. The variety is appreciated for its simplicity in cultivation, stable yield and strong immunity.
Titmouse
Bushes vigorous, with a rounded crown. The shoots are curved, the thickness is average, the leaves are green, with strong pubescence. The base of the leaf is pointed, the flowers are light yellow. Berry weight - about 0.8 g, oblong-oval shape. The color is blue-yellow, hence the name of the variety. The skin is thin, with a waxy coating, the pulp is firm and juicy. Refreshing sweet and sour taste, tasting score - 4.5 points. The ripening period is early, the use of the fruits is universal: they are used to prepare jam, jams, marshmallows.
Pavlovskaya
The ripening period is average, the harvest is harvested in mid-June. Fruiting is extended, the variety is early-growing: it bears fruit for 3 years after planting. The flowers are resistant to spring frosts, the culture is unpretentious in care. The length of the oval berry is about 3 cm, the average weight is 1.2 g. The skin is thin, the flesh is dense, the taste is balanced sweet and sour, without bitterness.
Interesting! A convenient and quick way to prepare honeysuckle for the winter is to make icing. To prepare it, you will need 1 tbsp. sugar, 1 tbsp. l. lemon juice and 1 egg white. The ingredients are rubbed with each other, as a result, the mass thickens. Dip the whole honeysuckle in the glaze and place on a plate to dry. Then they are put in jars or containers.
Pavlovskayaare appreciated for the transportability of the crop, the berries do not deteriorate and retain their presentation. The shrubs are tall, about 1.4 m. The shoots are pubescent, the leaves are oval light green. The variety is picky about the planting site, so it is recommended to plant it in well-lit areas.
Vasilievskaya
The ripening period is early, the purpose is universal. The berries are oblong, weigh about 1.5 g. The color is blue-violet, with a waxy coating, the skin is of medium thickness. The pulp is tender and juicy, the taste is harmonious sweet and sour. Vasilievskaya is resistant to ticks, aphids and sawflies, rarely affected by diseases. Hardy and unpretentious in cultivation. The shoots of the bush are erect pubescent, up to 2 m high. Productivity is from 2 to 4.5 kg per season, depending on the age of the bush. For cultivation, it is advisable to buy two-year-old seedlings.
Bell
Ripens early, long fruiting. The variety is fast-growing, yields a harvest 3-4 years after planting. The shape of the berries is oval, weight is about 0.7 g. The color is blue-blue, with a waxy bloom, the pulp is of medium density, juicy. The taste is pleasant sweet and sour. The plant tolerates frosts down to -40 ° С, rarely gets sick, and is not attacked by insect pests.
Disadvantages - low drought resistance: due to lack of water, the pulp becomes bitter. After ripening, berries do not crumble, retain their presentation and taste. Honeysuckle is suitable for fresh consumption, processing and transportation.
Gourmet
The height of the bush is about 1.3 m, the crown is oval. The foliage is dense, the shoots are thick and strong. The berries are oblong-oval, weigh 0.9 g, blue, with a waxy bloom. The gourmet has a tasty and tender pulp, no bitterness. Productivity - from 2.5 to 3 kg of fruits per season, berries do not crumble. The fruiting period lasts from 6 to 20 years, the first crop is harvested already 3 years after planting.
The seedlings quickly adapt to the climatic conditions of Belarus, do not freeze during spring frosts. To increase yields next to Gourmet pollinating varieties are planted: Blue Spindle or Blue Bird. The crop ripens early, the purpose is universal.
Blue spindle
Bushes medium to medium sized, suitable for planting as a hedge. Shoots are medium, with pubescence, leaves are dark green oval. The berries are blue-black, with a waxy coating, the weight of the fruit is about 1 g.The skin is of medium density, the pulp is juicy and aromatic, sweet and sour, with a slight bitterness. Tasting score - 3.7 points. The advantages of the variety include immunity to diseases and pests, resistance to frost and drought, versatility. Aromatic vitamin jam or jelly is obtained from honeysuckle. The yield of the variety is up to 2.5 kg per plant per season.
Darling
Large-fruited honeysuckle Chosen is common not only in Belarus, but also in Russia and Ukraine. The shape of the berries is oval-elongated, the skin is thin, the color is deep blue, with a waxy coating. The taste is sweet and sour, not bitter. The pulp is elastic, tender, aroma is pronounced. Ripening is late, the fruits are harvested in July. The berry weight reaches 1.5 g, the yield per bush per season is 3.5 kg. The height of the bushes is up to 1.2 m, the crown is small, the leaves are light green. The crop is suitable for transportation, storage and processing.
Altair
The bushes are low, the crown is round. Leaves are green, with slight pubescence, strong shoots. Fusiform berries, average weight 0.9 g, blue-blue color. There is a thick waxy bloom, a medium-density peel. The pulp is sweet and sour, harmonious, without bitterness. Altair's score is 4.4 points. The ripening period is average, the harvest is harvested in early July. Drought resistance is average, frost resistance is high.
Early varieties of honeysuckle for Belarus
From early varieties, gardeners distinguish honeysuckle Nymph and Tomichka. At the Nymph the bushes are medium-sized, the foliage is dense, the shoots are thin, slightly curled. The berries are blue-blue, with a waxy bloom, large, the weight of one reaches 3 g, the length is 3 cm. The shape is oval-oblong, fusiform, the surface is bumpy. The taste is spicy sweet and sour, with a slight bitterness. After ripening, the berries do not crumble, fruiting occurs in mid-June. The yield of the variety is up to 2 kg per plant.
Have Tomichki the height of the bushes reaches 1 m, the leaves are light green, with pubescence. The bushes are beautiful, decorative. The berries are pitcher-shaped, the tip is flattened, the tip is pointed. The color is blue-violet, with a waxy coating, the pulp is juicy, sweet and sour. The berries are suitable for processing: they are used to prepare syrups, confitures, jams. Fresh Tomichka is also good.
Middle and late
These varieties of honeysuckle are mainly used in cooking. Summer residents appreciate Malvina and Provintsialka. Malvina - mid-season variety of dessert honeysuckle. Bushes up to 1.5 m high, the crown is oval and dense. Stems are thin, slightly pubescent, dense dark green leaves. The berries are oval, slightly bumpy, blue-violet color. The peel is firm, with a waxy coating, the pulp is sweet and tender. The taste is sweet, with sourness, the aroma is weak. Malvina rarely gets sick, bears fruit stably - every year the bush gives up to 1.5 kg of ripe berries.
Provincial - a versatile variety, unpretentious in cultivation. The shoots are curved and hairless, the leaves are dark green. The berries are dark blue oval, with a thick waxy bloom. The peel is firm, the pulp is aromatic, the taste is sweet and sour. Tasting score - 5 points. Resistance to diseases, pests and frost is high.
Other parameters
In addition to the timing of ripening, gardeners pay attention to the size and taste of the fruit, the ability of varieties to self-pollinate. Sweet honeysuckle is grown for harvesting, large-fruited for sale.
The largest
The largest-fruited varieties of honeysuckle for Belarus are the Giant's Daughter and the Bakchar giant. The average weight of fruits varies from 1.5 g to 2 g, some specimens reach 3 g. The choice of the planting site, the amount of fertilizers applied, and the composition of the soil affect the weight of the berries. The Chosen One and Pavlovskaya are distinguished by their large sizes... These varieties are valued for their immunity to diseases and resistance to shedding.
Self-pollinated
Most varieties of honeysuckle are not self-pollinating, so bushes of different varieties are planted next to each other for cross-pollination. Of the self-pollinated, only a few plants are isolated - Yuganu and Nymph... They do not need pollinating insects or other varieties; they bear fruit stably every year. Such honeysuckle is unpretentious in cultivation, suitable for beginner gardeners.
The sweetest
A characteristic feature of some varieties is the pulp with a bitter taste. It is for this reason that honeysuckle is not as common as cherries or raspberries. However, there are varieties with sweet-sour pulp, without bitterness. For example, Nekrasovka, Cinderella, Violet. The berries are distinguished by a delicate and pleasant pulp, delicate aroma. They are good fresh and processed.
Advice! It is recommended to grind bitter honeysuckle with sugar or boil compote. Some housewives freeze fruits for the winter - then add them to ice cream, teas, desserts.
How to choose a variety
Gardeners recommend paying attention to the ripening period: early plants yield in early summer, medium ones - at the end of June, late ones - in July. For making jam, berries with a sour and tart aftertaste are used, for fresh consumption - sweet fruits with delicate and aromatic pulp.
Large-fruited honeysuckle with a strong skin and a thick waxy bloom is grown for sale: it protects the berries from spoilage and cracking. It is advisable to take a closer look at self-fertile varieties: they bear fruit stably. Frost-resistant honeysuckle is also in demand. You can find out more information about the variety from the reviews and photos of experienced gardeners of the Republic of Belarus.
Conclusion
The climate and soils of Belarus are ideal for planting and growing honeysuckle. Popular varieties: Titmouse, Kolokolchik, Pavlovskaya, Vasilievskaya - are distinguished by large and tasty fruits, immunity to diseases and pests, stable yield and frost resistance. Honeysuckle is planted on sandy loam or loamy soils, dig a hole 30 cm deep and 50 cm in diameter. Care consists of watering, root and foliar dressing, removing weeds and loosening the beds. Many varieties decorate the garden area: the bushes attract with yellow, white, red flowers.