Amur Honeysuckle Lonicera maackii
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- loh-NIS-er-a MAK-ee-eye
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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This plant is problematic and alternatives should be considered. Please see the suggestions in the left-hand column.
Amur honeysuckle is a deciduous shrub in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) that is native to eastern Asia but has naturalized in much of eastern North America. It is a listed invasive in the central and eastern USA. The plant has been seen in the mountains, piedmont and coastal regions of North Carolina. The species epithet honors 19th-century Russian naturalist and geographer Richard Otto Maack.
Amur honeysuckle is highly adaptable, forming dense stands that crowd and shade out native plants, greatly reducing biodiversity. It is shade-tolerant and resistant to heat, drought, and severe winter cold.
Amur honeysuckle grows quickly to a tall shrub of about 15 feet. When cut, it grows back dense and vigorous from the stump. It leafs out early and retains its leaves longer in the fall and early winter, giving it a competitive advantage over native species. The fragrant flowers open white and age to a buff yellow. The fruits are enjoyed by birds, which spread its seeds.
This species is not recommended for any garden or landscape, as it is aggressive and weedy.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant insect or disease problems. Listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lonicera
- Species:
- maackii
- Family:
- Caprifoliaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Amur River basin in China and Russia, Japan, Korea
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are enjoyed by birds and aid in the spread of this plant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 10 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Vine
- Weed
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Climbing
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- 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:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Spherical dark red fruits 1/4 inch in diameter
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Fragrant blooms appear in erect pairs late April and turn from white to yellow as they get older. Petals are fused to form a 2-lipped funnel-shaped flower.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Opposite leaves are dark green on top and lighter below, with long tapered tips.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Fissured
- Shaggy
- Bark Description:
- Deeply fissured and peeling in strips
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The pith of mature stems is hollow and white or tan.
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Landscape:
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Erosion
- Heavy Shade
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Children
- Weedy
