Black honeysuckle
Lonicera nigra · Caprifoliaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around black honeysuckle and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- Spring (April-May), white to pink flowers
- Fruits
- Black blue-black berries in summer
- Adult size
- 1.5 to 2.5 m in height, 1 to 2 m in width
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-20 to -25 °C)
- Origin
- Central and southern Europe, western Asia
- Soil type
- Rich, well-drained, slightly alkaline
Care
Exposure
Install the black honeysuckle in full sun to partial shade for optimal flowering. It tolerates partial shade but fruits better with at least 6 hours of direct light. Avoid locations that are too hot and drying in Mediterranean climates.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year to establish a good root system. Once established, black honeysuckle resists relative drought well. Keep the soil slightly moist during the growing period and reduce watering in winter.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune lightly after flowering or in late winter to maintain a compact, airy shape. Remove dead or diseased branches. Occasional cleanup is sufficient; this species does not require drastic pruning.
Soil preparation
Prepare the soil by adding quality compost or potting mix. Black honeysuckle prefers neutral to alkaline pH. Ensure good drainage to prevent root asphyxiation, especially in compact or clayey soil.
Fertilizer
A moderate application of compost in spring is generally sufficient. Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer which promotes foliage at the expense of flowering and fruiting. Balanced fertilization every two years is more than adequate.
Diseases and pests
Black honeysuckle is generally robust and not very susceptible to diseases. Nevertheless, watch for powdery mildew in humid, stagnant conditions. Good air circulation and well-drained soil minimize health risks.
Did you know?
Black honeysuckle produces black berries highly prized in Eastern and Central Europe, where they are consumed fresh or transformed into traditional jams and syrups. In Russia and Asia, this fruit, rich in antioxidants, has become popular under the name "northern bilberry" or "edible honeysuckle", though it is a different and distinct species. This ornamental and useful plant embodies the perfect marriage between floral beauty and fruiting productivity.
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.