From the East Coast of Russia, this attractive variety features a compact spreading form, light green foliage, and large, soft, dark blue berries. Use any other late-blooming variety, like Blue Moon or Blue Velvet, as a pollinizer. Pick berries when the inner flesh is purplish, not green – they turn blue on the outside before they are fully ripe.

This attractive, arching bush grows quickly to about 2 -3’ tall and wide. Small, creamy yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers appear in February or March and develop into delicious, soft, teardrop-shaped, dark blue fruit that ripens in May. Plants prefer sun in cool summer areas and morning sun in warmer summer locations, and well-drained soil. Little pruning is required: just remove any rubbing branches and space about 6’ apart or 3-4’ for a hedge. Select two varieties for pollination. USDA Zones 2-8.