September 2009 Plant of the Month —
Himalayan Honeysuckle

Leycesteria formosa ‘Golden Lanterns’ features a bright
foliage that can enliven any landscape. (Photo by B. Willis.)
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Submitted by Beth Willis

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — What’s not to love about Himalayan honeysuckle? Also known as Leycesteria formosa, this ornamental shrub can grow to 6 feet tall and just as wide in a single season. It also has multiple other “wow” factors going for it.

The standard form has dark green foliage, but the ‘Golden Lanterns’ cultivar has chartreuse-yellow foliage. It really does seem to glow in your garden. New foliage emerges tinged with red, and mature leaves retain a subtle red margin. The striking flower structure, a pendulous cluster of white flowers surrounded by deep burgundy bracts, stands out beautifully against the light foliage. As if that weren’t enough to recommend it for your landscape, birds love the shiny, purple-black berries that form in late summer through frost. Another name for this plant is Golden Pheasant Berry.

Finally, if you like to grow plants that have uses outside the garden – look no further. Although I prefer to leave the berries for the birds, the berries are edible and reportedly have a caramel raisin flavor. I have even heard they can be used to make a tasty pudding. Those who are also musical in nature can use the shrub’s hollow stems to make whistles and flutes.

Himalayan honeysuckle can be planted in full sun, although it might appreciate some afternoon shade in hot and humid regions. It likes a moist, well-drained soil, and is not prone to any pest or disease problems. Hardy to zone 6, this deciduous shrub will benefit from a thick layer of mulch to help protect it during winter.

As its common name indicates, this shrub in the Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle) family is native to the Himalayas and eastern Asia. It is a popular landscape choice in the Pacific Northwest, but it is underutilized in many other areas of the country. Although it is classified as a noxious weed in Australia, there have been no reports of invasiveness in the United States.

Beth Willis is the UT Gardens Trials Coordinator. The University of Tennessee Gardens located in Knoxville and Jackson are part of the UT Institute of Agriculture. Their mission is to foster appreciation, education and stewardship of plants through garden displays, collections, educational programs and research trials. The gardens are open during all seasons and free to the public.

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Contact:

Beth Willis, UT Gardens, 865-974-7324

Patricia McDaniels, UTIA Marketing & Communications,
615-835-4570