Tatarian honeysuckle
Lonicera tatarica · Caprifoliaceae
📷 User:Algirdas · Public domain
⚠️ Baies toxiques par ingestion. Chiens et chats : troubles gastro-intestinaux modérés.
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around tatarian honeysuckle and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Lonicera tatarica
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Form
- Deciduous shrub
- Mature height
- 2.5 to 3 m
- Flowering
- May to June
- Flower color
- Pink, white or red depending on varieties
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (-25 °C)
- Origin
- Siberia and Central Asia
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Very robust but prefers loose, organic-rich soil. Moderate to normal watering.
The common mistake
Forgetting to prune after flowering and letting it get too large and sparse; a quick trim in June saves space and densifies growth.
The pro's trick
Sow seeds harvested in late summer: they germinate easily in spring and you get free young plants that flower by year 2.
Care
Exposure and climate
Tatarian honeysuckle prefers full sun for generous flowering, but tolerates partial shade. It's a very hardy species that adapts to practically all temperate and continental climates. It requires little winter protection and resists intense cold well.
Soil and planting
Plant in autumn or spring in ordinary, well-drained soil preferably. Tatarian honeysuckle tolerates chalky, neutral or slightly acidic soils. Avoid waterlogged areas that promote root diseases.
Watering
After planting, water regularly during the first year to establish the root system. Once well established, this shrub resists moderate drought. Favour deep watering rather than shallow and frequent watering.
Fertilizing
An application of well-decomposed compost in spring is enough to maintain vigour. Poor soils benefit from balanced fertilizer diluted in spring, but this hardy species doesn't require intensive nutrition.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune lightly after flowering (July) to maintain a balanced shape and encourage branching. More severe pruning can be done in late winter if the shrub becomes too dense. Remove dead or misplaced branches.
Diseases and pests
Tatarian honeysuckle is rarely affected by pests. Watch for aphids in case of water stress. Powdery mildew can appear in hot, dry weather; improve air circulation through appropriate pruning.
Did you know?
Tatarian honeysuckle owes its name to Tartary, a historical designation for the vast steppes of Central Asia. Its delicately scented flowers and bright red berries attract birds and pollinators, making it an excellent ally for promoting wildlife in your garden. In Russia and Central Asia, this shrub has long been appreciated for its hardiness and ornamental interest.
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.