Mark A. Miller
Family
Caprifoliaceae
Botanical Name
Leycesteria formosa 'Notbruce'(GOLDEN LANTERNS®)
Plant Common Name
Golden Lanterns™ Honeysuckle, Himalayan Honeysuckle
General Description
Providing spring to fall display with its colorful foliage, flower bracts, and berries, Golden Lanterns is a selection of Leycesteria formosa, a medium-sized deciduous shrub from the Himalayas.
The hollow, arching, blue-green stems of this fast-growing shrub are furnished with paired, yellow-green, oval leaves that are copper-tinged when young. Spikes of large conspicuous maroon bracts give rise to small white tubular flowers in summer and early fall. The green berries that follow the flowers mature to red and then purple. Hummingbirds visit the flowers for nectar, and the bitter-tasting fruits are eaten by animals and birds that disperse its seeds.
Plant Himalayan honeysuckle in moist, well-drained soil in full to partial sun. Partial shade is best in hot climates. This shrub often dies to the ground in cold winters, but rapidly regrows in spring provided the roots survive. A thick airy winter mulch will boost root-hardiness. Himalayan honeysuckle is a lovely specimen for a mixed border or shrub planting. It also is suitable for a cool greenhouse.
Himalyan honeysuckle has proven invasive in many areas including parts of Australia and New Zealand.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
9 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
7 - 10
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Sunset Zone
4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
4'-6' / 1.2m - 1.8m
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Width
4'-6' / 1.2m - 1.8m
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Bloom Time
Summer, Late Summer, Early Fall
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Native To
Western Asia, India, Nepal, China
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Arching/Fountain-shaped
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
