Leycesteria formosa 'Lydia'
Himalayan honeysuckle 'Lydia'
A deciduous shrub to 1.8m high, forming a thicket of upright, cane-like stems with bright lime green tapered leaves that are tinted red when young. Pendent clusters of white flowers with dark red bracts are produced in summer, followed by purple berries in autumn
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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 Red | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Red | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Purple | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright, 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
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. Heavy, wet soils are best avoided. In areas prone to hard frosts, will benefit from a deep mulch in autumn
Propagation
Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Can be lightly pruned after flowering, or cut back hard in early spring (see pruning group 3 or pruning group 6)
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
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