Today there was a big shift of stock because a lot of new dwarf bulbs had arrived (crocuses, tulips, hyacinths etc) probably for pots. We moved a section of fruit bushes, trees, rhubarb and strawberries into the outdoor alley way.
I came across these soft fruits for the first time:
- Tummelberry - a hybrid berry (crosses between blackberries and raspberries), bred by the Scottish Horticultural Research Institute, released in 1979. It is similar to Tayberry but is hardier and suitable for Northern areas.
- Honeyberry - an edible form of Lonicera caerula (Photo 1) - high in antioxidants and vitamin C. Native to Siberia, China, Japan. Best planted in pairs or groups to increase chances of pollination & fruiting. Flowers are hermaphrodite (both female & male - plants always like to breed outside of themselves to widen their genetic pool). Flowers are unusual in that two flowers comes out of one ovary. Not soil fussy - so seen as a good alternative to blueberry if you don't have acidic soil. Can be propagated by seed (pulp around it needs to be removed), semi-ripe or hardwood cuttings.
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| Photo1: Lonicera caerula - photo by |