Hairy honeysuckle is a native climbing shrub with distinctly hairy stems, giving it a rough texture. Its trumpet-shaped, yellow to orange flowers, which are a favorite of pollinators, bloom in late spring to early summer. The plant thrives in forest edges and clearings, its vigorous vines reaching for sunlight while also supporting and intertwining with nearby vegetation. Berries appear after flowering, providing food for birds.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Lonicera hirsuta, commonly known as the Hairy Honeysuckle, is a climbing vine notable for its distinctive, hairy leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers. This species is native to North America, primarily in the eastern and central United States and extending into parts of Canada. Its presence enhances local ecosystems and supports native fauna.
Size: This vine typically grows to a height of 3-15 feet (0.9-4.5 meters) and 3-5 feet (0.9-1.5 meters) wide.
Foliage: The foliage is deciduous, featuring opposite, oval leaves that have a hairy texture. This unique foliage gives the plant its common name, “Hairy Honeysuckle.” The leaf pair beneath a flower cluster encircles the stem, creating a disk-like structure around the cluster.
Flowers: The plant features trumpet-shaped, yellow to orange flowers that hang in small clusters. The flowers are a source of nectar and highly attractive to various pollinators. They give way to round oval orange-red berries.
Bloom Time: Lonicera hirsuta usually blooms from early to mid summer, depending on the local climate and growing conditions.
The flowers are particularly attractive to hummingbirds, and the small berries that follow flowering can serve as a food source for certain bird species. Insects like bees are also frequent visitors.
The berries of Lonicera hirsuta, like those of many honeysuckle species, are generally considered mildly toxic to humans but are not harmful to birds.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Hairy 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 hairy 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
Hairy 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 hairy 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
Regularly check the moisture of the soil to determine whether a plant needs watering. If the soil is relatively dry, then water it to maintain a slightly moist soil condition. Hairy honeysuckle in gardens with ample rainfall does not need watering. Make sure water does not accumulate in the soil. In drier weather, water the plants appropriately.
During summer, increase the amount of water provided. In winter, reduce it. Wait until the soil turns a lighter color before watering. It is recommended to water hairy honeysuckle once every 3-5 days after pruning leaves or cutting off flowers. This will help it develop new branches and bloom more impressively. It is best to water it in the morning or early evening. Rainwater or snow water is better for watering than tap water. Tap water contains fluoride or chloride, which can cause soil compaction and worsen soil permeability, affecting the breathing of the roots.
Soil
Hairy 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
When planting hairy honeysuckle in gardens, applying sufficient base fertilizer usually ensures normal growth. If they are planted in flower pots, apply water-soluble organic fertilizer in low concentrations once every 15-20 days in spring and summer. This will allow them to grow more healthily and produce better blooms. When buds appear, mix the organic fertilizer solution with an appropriate amount of fertilizer rich in phosphorus and potassium once or twice. This can promote more blooms and more beautiful flowers.
Planting Instructions
Transplanting hairy honeysuckle is best done before spring when plants are germinating. If planted in the garden, 2-3 of them can be planted together. Add some organic or phosphate fertilizer as a base fertilizer. The plants need sufficient water after transplanting. Set up plant stakes and tie strings to them and the plant to help it climb up and form a green area.
If planted in a flower pot, hairy honeysuckle needs to be placed on a balcony or similar space with sufficient sunlight. You can grow 1-2 plants in one big pot. Use a mixture of garden soil, leaf mold, and sand as potting soil. Before planting, fill the bottom of the flower pot with fully decomposed organic fertilizer, using phosphate fertilizer as the base fertilizer. After planting, water the plants sufficiently.
Pruning
Pruning should usually be done in fall after the leaves of hairy honeysuckle drop, before germination. Fertilizing and pruning after blooming can encourage hairy 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 hairy honeysuckle as long as its shape is controlled.
Propagation
The main propagation method of hairy honeysuckle is cutting. This can be done in all seasons except for winter. Select solid branches that have sprouted for 1-2 years and are approximately 35 cm long. Remove the lower leaves and apply rooting powder to the cuts, then stick them in perlite or vermiculite. Before they take root, be sure to promptly provide shade and water to prevent the branches from drying out. If cutting is propagated during the rainy season, a branch can root after half a month.
Hairy honeysuckle can also be propagated by layering. Stem nodes buried in moist soil are able to take root. After rooting, the branches can be cut off for transplanting and bloom as early as the next year.
Pests and Diseases
Lonicera hirsuta is relatively resistant to pests and diseases but keep an eye out for common issues like aphids and treat as needed.
III. Uses and Benefits
This honeysuckle variety is often used for erosion control on slopes and embankments. It is also popular in native and woodland gardens, where it can be trained to climb trellises, arbors, or other supports.
