Smooth-leaved Honeysuckle Lonicera dioica
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Lonicera glaucescens
- Phonetic Spelling
- loh-NIS-er-ah dy-OH-ih-cah
- Description
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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:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Climbing
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Peeling
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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.
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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
