Leycesteria formosa 'Purple Rain'
Himalayan honeysuckle 'Purple Rain'
'Purple Rain' is a deciduous shrub with green, arching, cane-like stems and soft, pointed leaves. Small white flowers, with deep purply-red bracts, appear in hanging clusters in summer and autumn, followed by shiny, deep purple berries
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Red White | Green | |
| Autumn | Green | Red White | Green | Purple |
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full shade
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Leycesteria are deciduous shrubs with hollow stems, simple leaves and terminal and axillary racemes of tubular flowers, followed by fleshy berries
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Easily grown in any garden, but especially good for woodland gardens in sun or shade
Propagation
Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Coastal
- Low Maintenance
Pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to 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.