Leycesteria formosa 'Gold Leaf'

RHS Plant Profile

Himalayan honeysuckle 'Gold Leaf'

John Fielding

Synonyms

Leycesteria 'Gold Leaf'

Shrubs

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A deciduous shrub to 1.8m high, forming a thicket of upright, cane-like stems bearing bright yellow-green tapered leaves that are flushed with reddish pink. Pendent clusters of white flowers with showy dark red bracts are produced in summer, followed by purple-brown berries in autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Caprifoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright, Bushy
Potentially harmful: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
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

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)