The Blue Cliff honeysuckle variety belongs to medium-early varieties and begins ripening in early June. The berries of this variety are large, elongated-oval in shape with dark blue skin covered by a strong waxy coating. The average weight of a berry is about 2 grams, maximum — up to 2.6 grams. The pulp differs with a tender dessert taste with sour-sweet notes and a pleasant aroma, sugar content reaches 14%, which ensures a high tasting evaluation — 4.9 points out of 5. The skin is of medium thickness, the berries have a slightly bumpy surface and a dry areola, which contributes to good transportability and preservation during harvesting and transportation.
The bushes of the Blue Cliff variety are medium-sized, reaching a height of up to 1.5 meters and a width of about 1.2 meters. The shoots are rigid and straight, which facilitates mechanized harvesting. The average yield from one plant is about 3.5 kg, and from a hectare — about 11.5 tons, which makes the variety attractive for commercial cultivation. The plant has high frost resistance up to -30°C and excellent immunity to typical diseases and pests, which reduces the need for intensive protection and care.
To increase yield and better pollination, it is recommended to plant next to other honeysuckle varieties, such as Strezhovchan, Yugana, Daughter of the Giant and Vostorg. Thanks to its characteristics, the Blue Cliff variety is suitable for both home cultivation and commercial production, providing a stable and quality harvest of tasty and aromatic berries.
