Lonicera syringantha (Lilac-flowered honeysuckle)

Botanical name

Lonicera syringantha

Other names

Lilac-flowered honeysuckle, Lonicera rupicola var. syringantha, Shrubby honeysuckle

Genus

Lonicera Lonicera

Species

L. syringantha - L. syringantha is a rounded, deciduous shrub with ovate to oblong, grey-green leaves and small, fragrant, tubular to bell-shaped, lilac-pink flowers blooming from the leaf axils in late spring and early summer. Flowers are followed by spherical, red fruit.

Foliage

Deciduous

Fragrance

Flowers are fragrant.

Habit

Rounded

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Colour

Flower

Lilac-pink in Spring; Lilac-pink in Summer

Foliage

Grey-green in Spring; Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Thrips

Specific diseases

Powdery mildew

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 2

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-hardwood cuttings, Hardwood cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Lonicera syringantha (Lilac-flowered honeysuckle) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 2m after 5-10 years.

Suggested uses

Cottage/Informal, Coastal, City, Beds and borders

Cultivation

Grow in any well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Lonicera syringantha (Lilac-flowered honeysuckle)

Common pest name

European cherry fruit fly

Scientific pest name

Rhagoletis cerasi

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Fruit fly pest of cherry and honeysuckle; widely distributed in Europe and also present in North America and Asia. No evidence of establishment in the UK to date despite repeated interceptions; but honeysuckle and cherry growers may wish to be aware and monitor for its presence.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/