STREZHEVCHANKA

Lonicera 'Strezhevchanka' – a vigorous, spreading shrub reaching about 180 cm in height and width with a dense canopy. The bush features elongated pale green leaves, oval-elliptical in shape, which give the plant a neat appearance.

The lonicera fruits are large – from 1.8 to 2.7 grams, wide and tall, resembling blueberries. The skin is thin, with a light waxy coating, which makes the berries look almost black. The taste is acid-sweet, slightly sour, making them suitable both for desserts and freezing. The berries grow at the ends of twigs, conveniently positioned for harvesting.

The 'Strezhevchanka' variety belongs to early ripening – fruits appear in early July. First yield begins one or two years after planting, while full fruiting is achieved by the 3rd–4th year. Yield ranges from 2.5 to 4.5 kg per bush. To achieve high yield, it is recommended to plant several different lonicera varieties, as the plant is self-sterile but requires cross-pollination.

The fruits withstand transportation well and remain fresh for about five days. When fully ripe, the berries may shed slightly, yet until the flesh softens, they remain intact, allowing for both hand and mechanical harvesting. The bush is characterized by high winter hardiness and resistance to diseases and pests, making it a reliable choice for gardeners.