Bush honeysuckles are large, upright, spreading shrubs reaching up to 15–20 feet in height, with flowers that change from white to yellow;juicy red berries;and opposite, simple leaves that green up much earlier than surrounding native vegetation.
Leaves are deciduous, opposite, simple, 1–3inches long, narrowly oval with a rounded or pointedtip, the margin entire (not toothed or lobed); upper surface green, lower surface pale green and slightly fuzzy. In late autumn,leaves typically remain green and attached wellafter the leaves of our native trees and shrubs have fallen.
Bark is grayish brown, tight, with broad ridges and grooves.
Twigs are grayish brown, thornless; the older branches are hollow.
Flowers May–June, fragrant, paired, growing from the leaf axils, tubular, 1 inch long, slender, distinctly 2-lipped, with upper lip having 4 narrow lobes, lower lip with 1 narrow lobe. Petals change from white or pink to yellowish as they age.
Fruits mature in September–October; typically red berries about ¼inch across, 2–6 seeded, in pairs in the axils of the leaves.
To distinguish between the two invasive bush honeysuckles, note the following technical descriptions:
- Amur (L. maackii): leaf blades are tapered at the tip. The stalk below the paired flowers is 2–5 mm long (sometimes to 8 mm) (less than ¼ inch). The fruits appear sessile (stalkless). It is larger, to 20 feet tall, with leaves 2–3 inches long.
- Bella hybrids: leaf blades are rounded or broadly angled to a bluntly or sharply pointed tip, sometimes tapered abruptly to a minute, sharp point. The stalk below the paired flowers is 5–19 mm long (about ¼–¾ inch). The fruits appear noticeably stalked at maturity. These only reach 6–15 feet tall, with leaves 1–2½ inches long.
Similar species: Other native and nonnative honeysuckles that occur in Missouri are twining woody vines, not bushes.
FAQs
Bush honeysuckle creates soil erosion problems because the ground beneath it becomes bare, and its open branching habit exposes songbirds' nests to predators. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.
Is the bush honeysuckle poisonous? ›
The berries of bush honeysuckles are mildly toxic to humans but are strongly bad-tasting. Learn to identify bush honeysuckles and help in the fight to control their expanding numbers. There are several methods for controlling them.
Can humans eat bush honeysuckle? ›
The flowers may intrigue curious youngsters, but the blooms are safe. Honeysuckle flowers are often used as garnish, and it is safe to drink the nectar. The flowers of the Honeysuckle bush bloom during the spring and into the summer, and later in the growing season, the flowers turn into berries.
How tall does bush honeysuckle grow? ›
Bush honeysuckle Lonicera spp. Habitat: Woodlands, especially prevalent near edges. General description: Upright shrubs reaching 6 to 15 ft tall with arching branches.
Should I remove bush honeysuckle? ›
Pull small ones in the spring.
Bush honeysuckle invasions are easier to thwart if you kill the plants before they start producing fruit, which they do at three to five years of age. Young plants are easiest to pull in the spring, when they are young and small, and soils are moist.
What are the negatives of honeysuckle? ›
Honeysuckle might slow blood clotting. Taking honeysuckle along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
What is bush honeysuckle good for? ›
Bush honeysuckles (Diervilla spp.) are easy-to-grow, low-growing, suckering plants. They are adaptable to many soil types and all light levels. Because of their suckering habits, these plants are good for mass plantings, hedges or on slopes for soil stabilization and erosion control.
What kills bush honeysuckle? ›
When an area with bush honeysuckle lacks sufficient fuel to carry a fire, herbicides may be necessary to obtain control. In dry, upland areas, a foliar spray of 1-percent glyphosate will control seedlings. A 1.5-percent foliar spray of glyphosate just after plant blooming in June will control mature shrubs.
Is honeysuckle toxic to dogs? ›
Yes, honeysuckle is poisonous to dogs.
Honeysuckle plants contain cyanogenic glycosides and carotenoids, which can cause severe symptoms in dogs, including vomiting, irregular heartbeat, diarrhea, gastrointestinal upset, and extreme thirst.
Does Bush honeysuckle smell? ›
Like so many invasive plants, Bush Honeysuckle has positive qualities that mislead Americans to plant it widely. Its flowers are attractive and fragrant, and its berries are tasty to many birds.
Honeysuckle is used for digestive disorders including pain and swelling (inflammation) of the small intestine (enteritis) and dysentery; upper respiratory tract infections including colds, influenza, swine flu, and pneumonia; other viral and bacterial infections; swelling of the brain (encephalitis); fever; boils; and ...
How do I know if my honeysuckle is native or invasive? ›
Both the native species have a solid pith rather than the hollow pith of the invasive species. In addition, native bush honeysuckle has a toothed leaf margin, differentiating it from the smooth leaf edges of the invasive shrub honeysuckles.
Where is the best place to plant a honeysuckle bush? ›
Honeysuckle will grow in both full sun and light shade. You'll get more blooms if you plant in a location with six hours per day of sunshine, however. Many honeysuckles are hardy in USDA zones 4-9, but check the cultivar you intend to plant to be sure.
How long does bush honeysuckle live? ›
Honeysuckle is a perennial plant, meaning it will come back each year. With proper care, you should be able to enjoy your honeysuckle for many years. Some varieties can live an average of 20 years.
Should I plant honeysuckle in my yard? ›
While most of the honeysuckle species that grow wild through the US are invasive exotics that can wreak havoc on natural ecosystems, there are some beautiful native flowering honeysuckles as well as well-behaved non-natives that make a great addition to any garden.
