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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
This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
Description

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 Caprifoliaceae (honeysuckle) family that is a listed invasive in central and eastern U.S.A.  The plant has been seen in the mountains, piedmont, and coastal plains of North Carolina.

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 to native species.  The fruits are enjoyed by birds which further aid in its spread.

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.

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:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#arching#showy flowers#vigorous#invasive#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#yellow flowers#deciduous shrub#shade garden#tubular flowers#spring flowers#high maintenance#erosion control#fast growing#aggressive#well-drained soil#poisonous fruits#climbing vines#woody shrub#deer resistant#red fruits#vigorous vine#frost tolerant#fruits fall#naturalizes#exfoliating bark#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#black walnut toxicity tolerant#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#arching#showy flowers#vigorous#invasive#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#yellow flowers#deciduous shrub#shade garden#tubular flowers#spring flowers#high maintenance#erosion control#fast growing#aggressive#well-drained soil#poisonous fruits#climbing vines#woody shrub#deer resistant#red fruits#vigorous vine#frost tolerant#fruits fall#naturalizes#exfoliating bark#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#black walnut toxicity tolerant#weed
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Vine
    Weed
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Climbing
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
  • 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
  • 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" in diameter
  • 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. 4 fused petals.
  • 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 dark green on top lighter below with long tapered tipos
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Fissured
    Shaggy
    Bark Description:
    Deeply fissured and peeling in strips
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    The pith of mature stems is hollow and white or tan.
  • Landscape:
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Erosion
    Heavy Shade
    Problems:
    Invasive Species
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Children
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    The berries cause severe diarrhea when eaten.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Saponins
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits