Sakhalin Honeysuckle
Lonicera maximowiczii 'var. sakhalinensis'
Height: 5 feet
Spread: 5 feet
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 3a
Description:
An uncommon and yet truly worthy garden shrub with attractive deep purple flowers in late spring followed by showy red fruit in fall and excellent golden fall color on a rounded shrub; a fine choice for general garden use, especially effective in masses
Ornamental Features
Sakhalin Honeysuckle is blanketed in stunning ruby-red flowers along the branches in late spring. It features an abundance of magnificent red berries from late summer to early fall. It has green deciduous foliage which emerges brick red in spring. The oval leaves turn an outstanding gold in the fall. The smooth purple bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.
Landscape Attributes
Sakhalin Honeysuckle is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.
This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It is a good choice for attracting birds and butterflies to your yard. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Sakhalin Honeysuckle is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Mass Planting
- Hedges/Screening
- General Garden Use
Planting & Growing
Sakhalin Honeysuckle will grow to be about 5 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more.
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.
