Amur honeysuckle
Lonicera maackii · Caprifoliaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around amur honeysuckle and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous to semi-evergreen depending on climate
- Flowering
- April to June, white to pale pink flowers
- Mature size
- 2 to 4 m tall, 2 to 3 m spread
- Growth
- Fast and vigorous
- Hardiness
- Down to −25 °C
- Origin
- Manchuria, China, Japan
- Soil type
- Fertile, well-drained, tolerates varied acidity
Care
Exposure
Plant in full sun to partial shade for generous flowering. In dense shade, growth becomes weak and flowering diminishes. Maack's honeysuckle tolerates coastal exposure and windy areas well.
Watering
Keep the soil moist during the first two years after planting. Once established, the shrub will tolerate dry periods thanks to its deep root system. In very dry climates, weekly watering in summer remains beneficial.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a dense, compact shape. Remove dead or diseased branches in late winter. Complete rejuvenation can be done every 5 to 7 years to revitalize old shrubs.
Soil
An undemanding shrub that adapts to most soils. Favour soil enriched with organic matter at planting time. However, avoid constantly waterlogged soils which promote root rot.
Fertilizing and nutrition
An application of compost or organic fertilizer in spring is generally sufficient. No specific need for mineral fertilizer for established plants in enriched soil. In poor soil, balanced fertilizer once a year can support vigor.
Pests and diseases
A relatively robust shrub, but watch for powdery mildew in warm, humid conditions. Aphids may occasionally appear in spring. Good air circulation and avoiding excess foliage moisture minimize these risks.
Did you know?
Maack's honeysuckle owes its common name to Russian botanist Richard Maack, who discovered it in Manchuria in the 19th century. Widely naturalized in North America since its introduction as an ornamental shrub, it has proven so vigorous that it has become invasive in certain ecosystems, outcompeting native flora—a fine example of how a treasured garden plant can become problematic in the wild.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- HoneysuckleLonicera periclymenum
- Small scabiousScabiosa columbaria
- Red valerianCentranthus ruber
- Japanese honeysuckleLonicera japonica
- Himalayan honeysuckleLeycesteria formosa
- Involucred honeysuckleLonicera involucrata
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.