Key Facts
- Deciduous shrub often planted as an ornamental
- Fragrant tubular flowers appear in spring
- Produces red to orange berries that persist into summer
- Spreads readily by seed eaten and dispersed by birds
- Tolerates shade and a wide range of soil types
- Can form dense thickets that displace native plants
- Known as invasive in many parts of eastern North America
- Resprouts from roots or stumps after cutting
Bush honeysuckles Lonicera maackii are deciduous ornamental shrubs with fragrant tubular flowers in spring and bright red to orange berries that persist into summer. They tolerate deep shade and a wide range of soils but spread readily and are considered invasive in much of eastern North America.
Identification
These shrubs reach about 8 to 15 ft tall with a rounded habit and a 6 to 12 ft spread. Look for tubular white to cream flowers in spring followed by clusters of red to orange berries that remain into summer.
Where to grow and common uses
Often planted as an informal hedge or as a wildlife shrub for spring flowers and fruit. They perform in full sun through deep shade and adapt to loam, clay and poorer soils. Hardiness is USDA zones 3 to 7, with plants becoming more vigorous and spreading more readily in warmer parts of that range.
Planting and spacing
Space plants roughly 6 to 12 ft apart to allow for mature spread. Choose a site with well drained to seasonally moist soil for best vigor, though the species tolerates a wide range of soil types.
Watering and early care
Provide regular water while young so roots establish. Once established the shrubs tolerate dry spells and occasional wet conditions, which contributes to their ability to persist in varied sites. Poor drainage or prolonged flooding can reduce vigor.
After flowering and pruning
Prune after flowering to shape or reduce size. Plants resprout from roots or stumps after cutting, so expect regrowth from bases and adjacent suckers when cutting mature stems.
Spread and control
Seed is eaten and dispersed by birds which leads to widespread naturalizing; the shrub also spreads by root suckers and layering. The species can form dense thickets that displace native plants. Control typically requires removing seedlings and repeat cutting or follow up treatments because plants resprout from roots. Consult local invasive species guidance for regionally recommended removal methods and follow up monitoring.
What to consider before planting
The plant’s ornamental spring flowers and wildlife value come with a strong tradeoff. Expect vigorous spread by seed and suckers and the potential to displace native understory plants in long term plantings.
Frequently asked questions
- How fast does Bush Honeysuckles grow?
- Growth rate varies by site but they establish and spread readily by seed and root suckers, often forming thickets within a few years and reaching the typical 8 to 15 ft height at maturity.
- Are bush honeysuckles invasive?
- Yes. Lonicera maackii is known as invasive in many parts of eastern North America and can form dense thickets that displace native plants.
- How do Bush Honeysuckles spread?
- They spread primarily by bird dispersed seed and by vegetative suckering and layering from roots and stems.
- Do birds eat the berries?
- Yes. Birds eat and disperse the red to orange berries, which helps the shrub naturalize away from planted sites.
- When do Bush Honeysuckles bloom?
- They bloom in spring, typically April to May in temperate North Hemisphere climates, with fragrant tubular flowers appearing before or with leaf expansion.
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