Leycesteria formosa 'Gold Leaf'
Himalayan honeysuckle 'Gold Leaf'
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
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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 | Yellow Green Red | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Red | Yellow Green Red | ||
| Autumn | Yellow Green Red | Purple Brown | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H4Botanical 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 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)
Get involved
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