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Lonicera dioica is often confused with:
Lonicera hirsuta
Native alternative(s) for Lonicera dioica:
Lonicera flava Flowers and upper leaves joined
Lonicera sempervirens Lonicera sempervirens
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Aesculus flava Tree in full bloom
Dirca palustris leaves
Ulmus alata Ulmus alata

Limber Honeysuckle Lonicera dioica

Previously known as:

  • Lonicera glaucescens
Phonetic Spelling
loh-NIS-er-ah dy-OH-ih-cah
Description

Limber honeysuckle is a woody, loosely twining, perennial shrub that sprawls or climbs on nearby vegetation. A native of subarctic America and central and eastern United States, it is found in boggy areas, and other wet sites at high elevations in coniferous and deciduous woods and thickets, often in sandy or rocky ground. The plant is rare in North Carolina and found only at high elevations in the Mountains. Twining Honeysuckle is another common name for this plant, as is Red Honeysuckle, referencing that the flowers, berries, and stems are red. The genus, Lonicera, is named for Adam Lonicer (1528 - 1586), a German botanist.

Limber honeysuckle will grow in full sun to partial shade in a variety of moist to dry soils with good drainage.

Limber honeysuckle is low climbing with branches arching or twining 3 to 10 feet from the plant. It can be pruned, but keep in mind that flowers will appear on old growth. This honeysuckle succeeds very well under cultivation. If given the support of a stout central stake, it will form a low, spreading, rather elegant bush.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known insect or disease problems. Powdery mildew may occur. Deer tend to avoid this plant.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#arching#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#shrub#red flowers#shade shrub#native perennial#shade garden#medicinal#woody#spring flowers#fall interest#showy fruits#moist soil#NC native#well-drained soil#climbing vines#neutral pH#red fruits#native garden#mountains#native vine#food source fall#FACU#climber#wildlife friendly#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#arching#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#shrub#red flowers#shade shrub#native perennial#shade garden#medicinal#woody#spring flowers#fall interest#showy fruits#moist soil#NC native#well-drained soil#climbing vines#neutral pH#red fruits#native garden#mountains#native vine#food source fall#FACU#climber#wildlife friendly#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lonicera
    Species:
    dioica
    Family:
    Caprifoliaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Lonicera dioica was used by Native Americans to treat fever, tuberculosis, menstrual difficulties, kidney stones, dysuria, venereal disease, and worms and as a cathartic, diuretic, and an emetic.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Layering
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America
    Distribution:
    Throughout Canada and the United States, south to North Carolina and west to the central plains.
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds enjoy the fruits. Flowers attract hummingbirds.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
    Climbing Method:
    Twining
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Climbing
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Round to oval, bright red to orange-red berries are ¼ to ½ inch long and grow in clusters surrounded by joined upper leaves. There are 3 to 8 ovoid yellow seeds in each berry. Cold-moist stratification is necessary for germination. The optimum temperature for germination should be 86 degrees F daytime and 68 degrees F at night.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Trumpet
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Red, tubular flowers with yellow stamens are arranged in whorls at the end of branches. Flowers are ½ to 1 inch long, with a long, slender tube and 2 lips, the upper broad with 4 lobes and the lower narrow. There are 5 hairy stamens with pale tips and a long, slender, hairy style with a dome-shaped stigma at the tip.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Lanceolate
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Undulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Simple opposite pinnately veined green leaves, entire margins, with white undersides. Leaves below flowers are fused together like a cup.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Peeling
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Young stems have a waxy, bluish-white (glaucous) coating; older woody stems brown or grayish, with shredding bark.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Vertical Spaces
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Hummingbirds
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil