Scientific Name
Lonicera caerulea L.
Common Name(s)
Blue Honeysuckle, Edible Honeysuckle, Honeyberry, Haskap Berry, Blue-berried Honeysuckle, Sweetberry Honeysuckle
Synonym(s)
Caprifolium caeruleum, Euchylia caerulea, Isika coerulea, Xylosteon caeruleum, Xylosteon canadense, Xylosteon oblongifolium
Scientific Classification
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Genus: Lonicera
Flower
Color: Yellowish-whit
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Description
Lonicera caerulea is a deciduous shrub that grows up to 6.6 feet (2 m) tall. The opposite leaves are grayish-green, oval with a slightly waxy texture, up to 3.2 inches (8 cm) long and up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) wide. Flowers are yellowish-white, up to 0.6 inches (1.5 cm) long. They are produced in pairs on the shoots and have five equal lobes. Fruits are edible blueberry, somewhat rectangular, and about 0.4 inches (1 cm) in diameter.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 3a to 9b: from −40 °F (−40 °C) to 30 °F (−1.1 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Honeysuckle vines should be planted during the spring in cooler climates because their roots thrive when cool and shaded. Make sure to wait until the final frost before planting them.
When the timing is finally right, locate a spot for planting where they'll get full sun, or at the very least, partial sun exposure. Plant your honeysuckle at a soil depth of 18 inches and lay an organic fertilizer or compost over the top 3 inches.
This type of vine is sensitive to the amount of water and moisture it receives. When you first plant your honeysuckle, the plant will need a considerable amount of water to help it grow. However, when summer arrives, your vine will be more fortified and only need small amounts of water, even during dry spells. Many people mistake watering the plant equally throughout these different stages, which is a definite recipe for harmful overwatering in the summer months.
See more at 6 Mistakes to Avoid When Growing Honeysuckle Vine.
Origin
This species occurs throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere in countries such as Canada, Japan, Russia, and Poland.
Links
- Back to genus Lonicera
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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