Amur honeysuckle is a massively-branched, perennial shrub with dark green leaves, aromatic white flowers, and luscious burgundy berries that are inedible to humans but relished by birds propagating the seeds. This East Asian native shrub has been utilized in landscape decoration, wildlife cover, and erosion control. However, it is no longer recommended for planting due to invasiveness issues.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Lonicera maackii, the Amur honeysuckle, is a species of honeysuckle in the family Caprifoliaceae that is native to temperate eastern Asia; specifically in northern and western China south to Yunnan, Mongolia, Primorsky Krai in southeastern Siberia, Korea, and, albeit rare there, central and northern Honshū, Japan.
The species name “maackii” is derived from Richard Maack, a Russian naturalist of the 19th century. Its common name “Amur honeysuckle” is from its native range surrounding the Amur River, which demarcates the border between Siberia and Manchuria.
Lonicera maackii is a listed endangered species in Japan. It has escaped from cultivation and naturalized in New Zealand and the eastern United States; in the woodlands of the U.S. it is a significant invasive species.
The plant is a large, deciduous shrub that grows a maximum of 6 metres (20 ft) tall with stems of a maximum of 10 centimetres (4 in) in diameter. The leaves are oppositely arranged, 5–9 centimetres (2–3+1⁄2 in) long and 2–4 centimetres (3⁄4–1+5⁄8 in) broad, with an entire margin, and with at least some rough pubescence.
The flowers are produced in pairs; they are 2 centimetres (3⁄4 in) long, have two lips, begin white and later turn yellow or pale orange in color; they bloom from middle of spring to early summer. The fruit is a bright red to black, semi-translucent berry, 2–6 millimetres (5⁄64–15⁄64 in) in diameter, that contains numerous small seeds.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Amur honeysuckle likes sufficient sunlight, so plant them where they can receive long lengths of light exposure time. This way they will thrive, growing denser branches and leaves and blooming in brighter colors. If they are planted in shady areas, the branches and leaves of amur honeysuckle will be more sparse and have fewer flowers and fruits. However, note that when the temperature is high and the sunlight is strong in the summer, these plants need shades to prevent too much sun exposure.
Temperature
Amur honeysuckle grows in temperate and subtropical zones. The plants enjoy warm weather and are suited to grow in an environment with a temperature of 10 to 30 ℃. When the temperature is close to 10 ℃, some of their leaves turn yellow. When the temperature is lower than 5 ℃, almost all of the leaves will wither and fall. When the temperature is higher than 35 ℃, the plant’s speed of growth slows. When amur honeysuckle has just been planted, it requires regular watering. However, once established it does not require much water. It is a type of hedge that requires relatively less water.
Watering
Thriving in its native woodlands, amur honeysuckle is well-adapted to moderate moisture conditions, exhibiting a preference for consistent hydration without waterlogging. Its watering schedule should reflect its adaptability, with a balance of moisture retention and drainage—watering once every 1-2 weeks suffices. As an outdoor plant often found in temperate regions, amur honeysuckle benefits from mulching to conserve soil moisture and support its growth cycles through varying climate zones.
Soil
Amur honeysuckle has strong adaptability and no special soil requirements. The plants can be grown in clay or sandy soil. They like rich, moist, well-drained, and sandy loam the most, and are adaptable to soil with a pH of 6-8, which is slightly acidic, slightly alkalic, or even saline soil.
Fertilizing
To invigorate amur honeysuckle’s growth, utilize balanced fertilizers, such as 10-10-10 NPK, annually in early spring. This promotes robust growth and ample blossoms. Apply sparingly, avoiding over-fertilization, which can impair health. Seasonal adjustments aren’t crucial, but during the active growth phase, a slight increase can boost performance. For efficacy, water soil post-application. Don safety gear to avoid skin or inhalation issues. Observing these guidelines ensures amur honeysuckle’s vibrant vitality and floriferous display.
Pruning
Pruning should usually be done in fall after the leaves of amur honeysuckle drop, before germination. Fertilizing and pruning after blooming can encourage amur honeysuckle to bloom again. Stronger branches need light pruning while weaker branches need hard pruning. Dry or old branches need to be completely pruned because pruning older branches can help younger branches develop. Pruning the branches in the middle can promote air circulation in the center of the plant while also letting lower branches receive more sunlight.
After pruning, the plant’s branches will bloom at similar times, so you can harvest more flowering branches at a time. It is recommended to just lightly prune newly planted amur honeysuckle as long as its shape is controlled.
Propagation
Amur honeysuckle successfully propagates through cutting and layering techniques, with Autumn and Winter being the ideal seasons. Propagation is generally easy, with new growth and root development as key indicators of successful propagation.
Transplanting
The perfect time to transplant amur honeysuckle is during the delightful days of late spring to mid-summer when temperatures are moderate and roots can establish properly. Choose a sunny or partially shaded location with well-drained soil for best results. Remember, a little tender, loving care goes a long way in ensuring your plant thrives!
Repotting
Repot amur honeysuckle every 2-3 years to accommodate its growth as a sizable bush. Best done in early spring to align with its growth cycle. Upgrade to a larger container that allows room for expansion and root development. Post-repotting, ensure amur honeysuckle has well-draining soil and regular watering to encourage recovery. Friendly note: amur honeysuckle is relatively hardy, yet thrives with this renewed space.
III. Uses and Benefits
Amur honeysuckle is one of the most common bush honeysuckles, known for its invasiveness in the northeast US and Canada (which makes it illegal to grow in many states). Its compact growth and lovely flowers make it suitable for edging or even as a specimen piece. Amur honeysuckle works well in cottage or traditional gardens, especially when planted near citrus, mint, or sage.
IV. Control and eradication
The species is controlled by cutting, flaming, or burning the plant to the level of its roots and repetition of this in two-week increments until the nutrient reserves in the roots are depleted and unable to produce any new growths. To ensure eradication, herbicide may be applied to freshly cut stumps. Control by prescribed burning has been found to be most effective during the phase of seed dispersal in late summer and early autumn.
It can also be controlled by annual applications of glyphosate that thoroughly saturate the foliage, or by grubbing the shallowly rooted juvenile plants, but these two methods increase labor cost and disrupt the soil. Uprooting by hand or with tools can be effective for small individuals, though it becomes difficult or impractical for larger ones.
This species has been found to be a host for the leaf-mining moth Phyllonorycter emberizaepenella in North America.
