Lonicera maackii
Large deciduous shrub or small tree to 5m in height, with paired, oval, tapered dark green leaves, to 8cm long. Fragrant, tubular 2-lipped white flowers 2cm long, age to yellow and are produced along the stems in early summer, then long-lasting dark red berries follow
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Red | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Spreading branched
- Potentially harmful
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- 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
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow shrubby honeysuckle in any well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. See honeysuckle (shrubby) cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed as soon as ripe, semi-ripe cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Hedging and screens
- Wall side borders
- Climber and wall shrubs
Pruning
Pruning group 2. Can be wall trained against a fence or wall, see pruning group 13 for wall training
Pests
May be susceptible to honeysuckle aphids, thrips and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, fungal leaf spot, silver leaf and honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.