Haskap Cultivars
Characteristics of Japanese cultivars when compared to the Russian varieties commonly offered:
- Fruit is markedly larger (average 1.8 grams), more attractive, with fine flavor.
- Fruits of all our cultivars are medium in firmness, and are attached to the peduncle firmly enough to prevent pre-harvest drop, but loose enough to pick without tearing the berry flesh.
- Plants are well adapted to moderate temperate climates as well as colder regions. They will flourish in Zones 2-7.
- Plants are more upright in growth habit than Russian varieties, reaching 5 feet or more in our 5-year-old plants. Older plants may reach 6 or 7 feet in height with a spread of 4 or 5 feet.
- Bloom time and harvest time are later than Russian types. (Harvest here in the Willamette Valley, Oregon is about the same time as early strawberries.)
All cultivars that we offer were developed by Dr. Maxine Thompson, Professor Emeritus from the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University. They are patented in the US and in Canada, and licensed to us for sale. Propagation without a license from the plant breeder is prohibited.
Plantings should include more than one variety for pollination. Cultivars are listed in the order of their bloom time in our location. Here in western Oregon the span from first-bloomers to the last varieties is often only a week to 10 days, starting in mid-April most years. If your spring is slower to warm up, the bloom times between varieties will be more spread out.
“Willa”
Large, elliptical, nicely-flavored berries on vigorous, upright plants. Our earliest bloomer. Pirika and Kawai are good companion plants for pollenization.
“Kawai”
Berries have a blocky shape, medium large, with a flavor that is mild and very good. High yield on mature bushes. Bushes are vigorous, with characteristic upright-spreading shape. Blooms at about the same time as Willa and Pirika.
“Pirika”
Berries are large and elliptical, some with rolled edges at the tips, giving them a unique jug-shape. Another early-bloomer, these have good flavor and yield. Bushes are very vigorous, upright-spreading, and somewhat open.
“Taka”
Cylindrical, medium-large berries have a slightly milder flavor than other cultivars, on moderately vigorous plants that have a more spreading shape. Mid-season bloomer, can pair with early or late varieties.
“Chito”
Large, oval berries, milder flavor than other varieties, on very vigorous bushes that are somewhat more open than other cultivars. Mid-season bloomer, can pair with early or late varieties.
“Keiko”
Oval-shaped berries are tart/sweet, medium sized. Very vigorous growers, upright and spreading.
“Tana”
Oval, medium-large berries are tart/sweet, on moderately vigorous plants with an upright-spreading shape. Our latest-blooming variety. We suggest pairing with Keiko or Chito.