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Lonicera maackii

Image of Lonicera maackii

Gerald L. Klingaman

Family

Caprifoliaceae

Botanical Name

Lonicera maackii

Plant Common Name

Amur Honeysuckle

General Description

Now notorious as an invasive weed, this large, upright to spreading shrub was once widely planted for its fragrant white blooms and its wildlife-attracting red berries. Native to Northeast Asia, this prolific, cold-hardy honeysuckle has naturalized over much of eastern North America, where it is considered a noxious invasive.

Oval, medium- to dark-green leaves with abruptly tapering, pointed tips occur in opposite pairs along the arching, grayish-tan, hollow stems of this densely branched shrub. It leafs out earlier and defoliates later than most other deciduous plants. Older branches often have flaking bark. In late spring or early summer, pairs of tubular, two-lipped white flowers are borne in the leaf axils. The sweetly scented blooms age to pale yellow. Small, spherical, dark-red berries ripen in late summer and early fall. Birds consume the berries and disseminate the seeds.

This rampant and often invasive shrub is no longer recommended for planting. Most states in the eastern United States ban its sale and use.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    9 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    2 - 8

  • Plant Type

    Shrub

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    10'-15' / 3.0m - 4.6m

  • Width

    10'-15' / 3.0m - 4.6m

  • Bloom Time

    Late Spring, Early Summer

  • Native To

    Russia/Siberia, Eastern Asia, China, Japan, Korea

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Pollution, Drought, Salt

  • Growth Rate

    Fast

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Arching/Fountain-shaped

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Light Yellow, Ivory

  • Fruit Color

    Dark Red

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Green, Dark Green, Yellow Green

  • Bark Color

    Tan, Gray

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Exfoliating

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    Yes

  • Attracts

    Birds, Hummingbirds

  • Self-Sowing

    Yes