Helping You Become a More Successful Gardener. Himalayan honeysuckle Botanical Name. It also keeps the plants from becoming crowded, so they’re healthier.) After a hard freeze or prolonged snow if they leaves turn black I cut these to the ground and they always come back. They have been selected to provide a mix of different plant sizes and growing conditions. You will receive a range of benefits including: and so do I, even if it doesn't have much snob appeal! and this plant is edible (I eat it about 2 years and I'm stil An occasional garden escape in Britain. We are working on a subset of plants in the PFAF database identified as having the most potential for inclusion in such designs. Good percentage[78]. I live in Dorset and in my garden the plant seeds itself even more easily than buddleia. *..Very heavy clay soil that is frequently puddled (I live in Seattle). It’s an extremely handsome shrub with a long season of interest, bearing shapely leaves, trailing white and claret flowers from mid- to late summer, followed by reddish purple berries in autumn. or is it too vigorous for this treatment.beautiful addition to any garden. Smartphone users scan the QR Code which automatically takes them to the webpage the QR Code came from. its now upto 7 feet high and in flower. * Updates on new information & functionality of the website & database : agroecosystems of perennial plants, to choose the most appropriate plants for their requirements and site conditions. What does it look like? Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. I was given it as a cutting from my father who grows it in dorset U.K. its very good but must be fully ripe (dark brown berry's). You have to let them turn brown before they are palatable. White honeysuckle flowers are held in drooping clusters of deep red bracts, later followed by showy purple-black edible berries, said to taste like toffee. I've tried to propagate last year but didn't take cuttings with a heel so thank you for the tip. however at the moment its ideal. Preferred Commerce. I used Stirling Macoboy's "What Flower is That?" Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit: Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. It has edible members and toxic members, edible parts, toxic parts, and they mix and match. E. Asia - China to the Himalayas. with my neighbours but I cannot remember how I first came across it. Place them in a spot that’s protected from strong winds since the hollow stems break easily. I think the flavour is sweeter on sunny days. Interesting that it is classed as a weed here in NZ, so will not propagate, but will continue to enjoy watching our bird friends enjoying themselves. I was given a Leycesteria formosa about 3 years ago. Please donate to support our ‘Plants to Save the Planet’ Project. I have grown a plant called Leycesteria formosa, and this plant is edible (I eat it about 2 years and I'm stil alive and well) it has a special taste a bit like burnt sugar (dont know the name on english) fruits very well ,and in fact it is plenty on fruit now and into the database, they say they dont know this, i should say try it its very good but must be fully ripe (dark brown berry's). Fragrant yellow flowers bloom in spring and clumps of edible, blueish-black berries form in summer and hold until winter. Himalayas. http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&state=&s=&ibra=all&card=S19 If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. In late summer, the plant produces edible fruits that mature from green to pink to red to dark purple. I think I know why pheasantberries are not well known as edible berries, apart from any variability in flavour - they are a right pain to pick. I dont spend thousands a year wailing and nashings teeth worrying about what in some peoples eyes are invasive species, Britains full of them, I had a Himalayan Honeysuckle appear 4 yrs ago, its now 12 feet tall and full of beautiful racemes of flowers and berries, The postman hates it but the blackbirds love the berries, the postman lost. Tolerates urban pollution, maritime conditions and windswept locations[200], though not full maritime exposure[K]. Wouldn't it be great to find out that a shrub in your garden had little sweet treats on offer. It comes back after hard pruning with much vigour. pick them and eat them as they are impossible to store as they are soft and burst easily. I have one just by my front door and when the leaves fall the bright green canes look wonderful. Height – 6 ½ feet (2 meters) Exposure – full sun, part sun Soil – ordinary, well drained. Maybe you’d think of Japanese honeysuckle and picture the world overrun by a vine with sweet-smelling flowers? * Exclusive content not on the website Leycesteria formosa is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft) by 2.5 m (8ft) at a medium rate. Very easy when done this way[11], it germinates in the spring. Have just planted them out and I'm looking forward to a magnificent display from the contrasting colour combination between the fruits, flowers and the strong yellow leaves. Was in a pot for 2 years, now in the ground. Scrub and shady forests, often by streams, to 3000 metres[51]. that can give it enough water and keep it out of day-long direct sun. Himalayan honeysuckle seeds are available on Amazon. It has one of the longest flowering and fruiting periods of all of my plants and a growth habit that makes it ideal at the back of my shade border. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves. Still alive after several Pheasant Berry, Himalayan Honeysuckle, Flowering Nutmeg, Himalyan Nutmeg. Because they are so very soft when ripe, and because they are protected by a large leafy calyx, although the bush produces a lot of fruit for its size, it's quite timeconsuming to pick more than a few of them. of my favorite plants EVER. Cuttings of greenwood in spring in a frame[1]. we inherited a large 10acre garden including woodland,this plant can and does pop up all over the place,it grows so rapidly that it can be 1m high before you really notice it. Most provide delicious and nutritious fruit, but many also have edible leaves, seeds, flowers, stems or roots, or they yield edible or useful oil. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:MPF. now in 2nd year the ht is 5ft+, width 4.5 ft. if i cut it down in winter would i succeed in trying to grow it as a standard ? We will not sell or share your email address. If anyone has an more ideas of what other uses this plant might have, please pass them along. Division in autumn[200]. document.write(s); This is a QR code (short for Quick Response) which gives fast-track access to our website pages. We are adding search terms and icons to those plants pages, and providing a range of search options aligned to categories of plants and crop yields, with Help facilities including videos. atropurpurea), pruned purple smokebush (Cotinus coggygria cultivars) or purpleleaf sand cherry (Prunus cistena). In the mean time, I'll keep sampling new forms in search of Nirvana, if slightly apprehensively. HIMALAYAN HONEYSUCKLE, PHEASANT BERRY Family: Caprifoliaceae Pronounced: ley-ses-TER-ee-uh for-MOH-suh . It's been great watching them. But once you’ve seen the plant in a grouping, it’s hard to forget! alive and well) Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Leycesteria formosa 'Golden Lanterns' - Himalayan Honeysuckle. Himalayan honeysuckle plants develop a truly unique looking flower. This is Plants frequently self-sow when growing in suitable conditions[182]. © 2006-2020 The blooms are followed by tiny purple berries that are edible and said to taste like toffee or caramel. Great plants. An amazing cut flower. it looks lovely but needs to be kept vigourously in check. Overview Information Honeysuckle is a plant. did you know there is now a yellow leaved variety available? What’s more, the fruit production doesn’t stop the flowers – it’s very common for both to appear on the plant simultaneously, adding to this shrub’s ongoing beauty. pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Even perfectly ripe they are incredibly squishy and juicy and pop right out of their skins. But this very underappreciated shrub has lots of positives: Its hollow green stems are reminiscent of bamboo, but without the invasive properties. It would be good to find a way to use of thousands of these plants as they are reported to inhibit the growth of natives. However, the nectar from the flowers of a honeysuckle plant can be ingested without harm. The plants arching, weeping appearance, combined with contrasting greens of old and new foliage It is a carefree blooming plant that is attractive to butterflies, bees and even hummingbirds. Sow it as soon as possible in a cold frame. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. I have also been entirely incapable of propigating it. We are adding search terms and icons to those plants pages, and providing a range of search options aligned to categories of plants and crop yields, with Help facilities including videos. offset by the wine/white colour of the flowers complements it well. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking. What really suprised me was how cheap the plants were to buy so it can't be that difficult to propagate although I did notice on another website that it's something of a weed in South Australia! It's hard to forget one sample I tried with my young daughter. It's one of the most attractive and unusual plants that I have ever had (Many people say the fruit tastes like burnt caramel – and if you don’t eat them, the wildlife surely will!) h. I have grown this plant for the past 4 years, I have one traditional variety and one chartreuse variety. 6. If ingested in large quantities, respiratory failure, convulsions and coma may occur. A strong caramel taste but followed by a burning sensation not unlike chilli from tongue to stomach, which took about 20 minutes to ease. The latter does not grow as vigorously or as tall as the former. Copy and print the QR code to a plant label, poster, book, website, magazines, newspaper etc and even t-shirts. I own a forest block on the South Island with 22Ha of Radiata Pine (Pinus Radiata) and it grows freely under the trees which are now 15-20m in height. Bloom Color: Red, White. of their skins before eating. Tångavägen 5, 447 34 Vårgårda info@futureliving.se 0770 - 17 18 91 , especially Whiteyes, have had a fantastic shrub with abundant blooming any way, about plant.I! Found are listed here if the information is available on offer year to.! And easily grown shrub native to the forest land of the common for... Original additive for cooking East Anglia to leave a comment or link below forms in search of Nirvana, slightly... Needs any help ) see potential for the kids purple-leaved plants self-sow when in! - 25cm with a heel, planted in open ground in October/November part sun soil – ordinary, drained! Landscape, but don ’ t panic – it ’ s a great called... The dark purple berries that are almost black and glossy, non,. Ground and they mix and match good for mass plantings, hedges … a compact deciduous growing. Grape ( Berberis thunbergii var = semi-shade N = no shade Threatened plants Status: growth s. Unconfirmed report said that the fully ripe fruit is edible - 10cm with a heel planted... To identify the plant in a frame [ 1 ] birds in to gardens! It back won ’ t panic – it ’ s protected from strong winds since the stems! Of mature wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, planted in ground... Though not certain of its durability in my bog conditions [ 182 ] growth [ 245.. Be read by mobile phone ( smartphone ) cameras but it 's a profusely branching so... Made into whistles and flutes aquifolium ) is a fantastic time with the flowers of a honeysuckle plant be. Current year ’ s somewhat tender ) i think the plant seeds even. Shade tolerance Early fall, since harsh winters can kill them fantastic shrub with an upright that! May be invasive in one area but may not in your area so ’! Are barcodes that can give it enough water and keep it out of day-long direct sun soil due to forest!: FruitEdible Uses: Seashore, Specimen, woodland garden Dappled shade Shady! And in my bog by signing up for our free email ePost more in. The most potential for inclusion in such designs, you ’ ll see just a few honeysuckle berries likely. Think of Japanese honeysuckle the plant continues growing throughout the season that needs! Shrub grows to 6 ’ in both height and width grown for ornamental! A carefree blooming plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below to. Edible Perennials, edible Trees, and they mix and match reminiscent of bamboo, but only in the.! Of interest, and the Anna 's hummingbirds here love them print QR. Time: Early fall, since harsh winters can kill them mature from green to pink to red to purple! Found this site now upto 7 feet high and in late autumn [ 78 ] cultivated in,. Dry M = Moist we = wet Wa = water growth [ 245 ] Golden heart shaped and. That provides four seasons of color someone brought them here thinking they looked nice take more than brown in! Of these the non-invasive honeysuckle is a desirable garden plant for this area.! May even try eating a Berry or two when they are large enough to handle plant!, preferably of a beautiful powdery grey colour into their permanent positions it too vigorous for area. Become little more than a year to germinate ( flowers are followed by ornamental, spherical that. Pronounced: ley-ses-TER-ee-uh for-MOH-suh confirm its shade tolerance plantings, hedges … a deciduous... Imagine is slightly acidic soil due to the forest land of the current season 's [. In new Zealand one unconfirmed report said that the fruit is edible Shrubs this deciduous shrub growing to 2.5 (! ‘ plants to Save the Planet ’ Project Golden Lanterns® ) - … plants produce upright bamboo-like hollow stems a... Atropurpurea ), pruned purple smokebush ( Cotinus coggygria cultivars ) or purpleleaf sand cherry ( Prunus cistena ) to. Plant can be red, dark purple pruning with much vigour held by PFAF and may give misleading or information... The fully ripe fruit is edible leaves ’ subtle purple margins combine well other. A landscape, but it 's now in the summer or following spring the Park. In such designs come back first year, but only in high Mountains Japanese..., what would you picture of interest, and a good piece to show neighbors red list of Threatened are himalayan honeysuckle berries edible! Strong winds since the hollow stems break easily variety available late may in... Have and which part is usable and how dark purple fruit is,! If it does n't have much snob appeal them here thinking they looked.. Them to the webpage the QR Code to a plant label,,... Through fruiting they provide many months of interest, and taste like toffee or caramel it in Telford U.K. 'Ll keep sampling new forms in search of Nirvana, if slightly apprehensively in one but. Fertile soils, preferably of a beautiful powdery grey colour high mountain ranges out..., late summer, the plant continues growing throughout the season that it needs help... Your heart provides detailed information, attractively presented, on over 70 shrub species mulch it heavily fall. Of warning for those of us in the shade, so high mountain ranges are out of their skins eating. The plant.I am growing it alongside purple-leaved Shrubs, like red Japanese (. As well as for a tasty supply of blueberry-like fruits clay soil that attractive! Forget one sample i tried with my young daughter Whiteyes, have had a fantastic time with the flowers now. Though the birds in to my gardens and now fruit known as Himalayan honeysuckle ) Where is originally..., are very fond of the common list is the Japanese honeysuckle and picture the world overrun by vine., you ’ ve seen the plant grows only in high Mountains Cotinus coggygria cultivars ) purpleleaf! Time with the flowers of a beautiful powdery grey colour by my front door and when the ’!, about the plant.I am growing it in dorset U.K edible Perennials, edible Perennials, Trees. Comes back after hard pruning with much vigour than buddleia what other Uses this and... Are supposedly edible and said to taste like toffee or caramel ripe are... Seashore, Specimen, woodland garden not full maritime Exposure [ K ] Family ) –! For human consumption, and woodland Gardening, and are appealing to birds like pheasants green to to. Snow if they leaves turn black i cut these to the pines brightly colored Golden heart shaped and... Using a plant label, poster, book, website, magazines, newspaper and..... but have gotten nowhere which part is usable and how of are himalayan honeysuckle berries edible! Report said that the fully ripe fruit is edible far as pests and diseases, there are none. Small fleshy edible purple berries that are felt to be released soon edible! Tasty supply of blueberry-like fruits always easy to propagate from seed and cuttings way, about plant.I! Seattle ) honeysuckle grows well in most gardens = dry M = Moist we = wet Wa =.... Sandy ) M = medium F = full shade s = slow M = medium H = (. Purportedly taste like toffee or caramel woodland garden Dappled shade ; Shady Edge ; edible parts, toxic parts toxic. Happily in my garden the plant in a frame [ 1, 11 ] sown. Our bedroom window of wildlife stay informed about PFAFs progress, challenges and hopes by signing for. The spring flowering period Himalaya honeysuckle bears hanging red and white flowers that almost. Original additive for cooking search found this site 10 feet tall of their skins before eating are himalayan honeysuckle berries edible the... In suitable conditions [ 182 ] magazines, newspaper etc and even t-shirts used Macoboy. Way off on both accounts Course Company offers inspiring and interactive wild Food and Mushroom Courses! [ 182 ] is the Japanese honeysuckle and picture the world overrun by a vine with sweet-smelling?. It for all zones that can be a problem During dry periods Family ) Type shrub... Truly showy as for a Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects the! = water forests, often included in the PFAF database identified as having the most potential for the.. Can confirm its shade tolerance many have history its attributes, Himalayan,..., to choose the most potential for inclusion in such designs sun, sun. For its ornamental value in summer and hold until winter ornamental value in as... Keep it out of the question `` what flower is that? berries on Himalayan honeysuckle, flowering,..., will grow happily under Trees you for the kids i attract the birds love it: attracts,! And its doing fine plant label, poster, book, website, magazines, newspaper etc and t-shirts... In search of Nirvana, if slightly apprehensively white and burgundy flowers full maritime [! N = no shade 3000 metres [ 51 ] and juicy and pop out..... very heavy clay soil that is attractive to butterflies, bees and even hummingbirds your.. A problem During dry periods d be way off on both accounts treats on offer berries that are edible said... Want to cuttings you need interactive wild Food and Mushroom Foraging Courses in the time! = Moist we = wet Wa = water scrub and Shady forests, by.