About
An upright, multi-stemmed deciduous edible fruit shrub with grey-green ovate-lance shaped leaves. Small white lightly perfumed flowers are produced in early spring followed by edible, oval cylindrical blue-black berry fruits which develop a white bloom when ripe for harvest in early summer.
About the genus
Lonicera can be deciduous and evergreen shrubs, or climbers with twining stems. The tubular or two-lipped flowers, often very fragrant, are followed by red or black berries
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectNorth-facing, South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeFruit Edible, Shrubs
HabitBushy, Columnar upright
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens
Native toNE Asia
FragranceFlower
Care notes
CultivationGrow in full sun or partial shade in any moist, well-drained soil. Plant two shrubs for cross pollination and fruit set.
PruningUntil established follow Pruning group 1. Thereafter, in late winter reduce stems to a pair of strong buds and cut up to one-fifth of older stems to ground level.
PropagationPropagate by semi-ripe cuttings which can be taken during summer from none-fruiting stems. Hardwood cuttings can be taken in late-autumn winter. Honeyberry is easily propagated by seed; the pulp around the seed needs to be removed before they are sown in moist, warm conditions during the summer. There is no need for any cold stratification of the seed
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to honeysuckle aphids, Thrips and glasshouse whitefly
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, fungal leaf spot, silver leaf and honey fungus (rarely)