Description
Lonicera – Honeysuckle – Woodbine –
There are about 180 species of deciduous and evergreen shrubs, groundcovers, and twining climbers in this genus. They are widely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, where they grow in varied habitats ranging from woodland and thickets to rocky places. They are grown for their tubular to funnel shaped, often sweetly fragrant flowers, which are usually 2 lipped or have 5 small, spreading lobes. The leathery leaves are held in opposite pairs, up to 6″ long and usually simple. Honey suckles may be grown in a variety of situations: train climbers on a wall or fence, or into a a large shrub or small tree, grow shrub in a shrub border, or use for hedging or as a groundcover. Some species may become invasive. The berries may cause mild stomach upset if ingested. Honeysuckles are attractive to bees and birds.
Grow shrubs in any well drained soil in full or partial shade, grow climbers in fertile, humus rich, moist but well drained soil. They may become straggly unless pruned and some may need to pruned twice a year.
Prone to aphids, leaf roller, scale insects, dieback, powdery mildew, leaf spots, and blights.
L. involucrata – Twinberry – This dense bushy, deciduous shrub from Western North America and Mexico grows 3-6′ feet tall and 10′ feet wide. From thick shoots it carries paired, ovate to oblong or lance shaped, bright mid green leaves to 5″ long, with a coating of fine hairs. In late spring it bears tubular, dark yellow, often red suffused flowers, ½” long, each with 5 short lobes, are held in pairs and are surrounded by large green bracts that soon turn red, and are followed by rounded, glossy, deep purple berries backed by large purple-red bracts.
Zones 6-8
