Witch

Edible honeysuckle «Witch» is a decorative shrub up to 1.5 m high with straight, thickened stems and dark brown bark covered with a waxy bloom. The leaves are dark green, slightly downy, densely arranged on the branches, and the flowers are small, pale yellow, gathered in pairs in one inflorescence and bloom in the first or second decade of May.

The fruits of «Witch» are large, pear-shaped or ellipsoid, weighing up to 1.5 g, dark blue in color with a waxy coating. They have a sour-sweet taste and fragrant, tender flesh protected by a thin skin. The berries retain their shape on the branches, almost not shedding, which makes them convenient for harvesting. The variety is considered mid-season: the berries are ready for consumption in mid-June, and the yield of one bush is from 1.8 to 2.8 kg.

«Witch» is characterized by high resistance to diseases and pests, winter hardiness up to –45 °C, and a long fruiting period (no less than 20 years). The bush is easy to grow even in southern arid regions, but requires a pollinator from early honeysuckle varieties. Due to the rich content of vitamins, antioxidants, and dietary fibers, the berries help strengthen immunity, improve metabolism, and support healthy digestion.