Pink Honeysuckle – Lonicera hispidula var. vacillans (lon-ISS-er-a his-PID-yoo-la VAS-i-lans)

Family: Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)

Native to: Much of CA to OR, WA; in canyons, streamsides, woodlands below 3000', chaparral.

Growth characteristics: woody perennial vine mature length: 5-18 ft. Spreading or

climbing vine with small, oval fuzzy leaves. Foliage turns bronze/purple in winter.

Blooms/fruits: Blooms Apr-Jul. Large pink-white flowers in whorls. Showy and fragrant. Hummingbird

pollinated. Red edible (but tart) berries in fall are also showy.

Uses in the garden: Excellent as ground cover, bank cover or climber in natural gardens. Good for

covering fences (with support) and for shaded areas. Nice fragrance & good habitat plant. Pretty choice over an arbor or climbing up a trellis. Plant where you can enjoy sweet-scented flowers. Sensible substitute for: Non-native woody vines, including invasive non-native honeysuckles.

Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides nectar for hummingbirds; cover and berries for food. Also

good nectar source for bees and butterflies.

Requirements:

Element Requirement

Sun Full sun to shade; probably best in part-shade

Soil Any texture including clays; pH 5-7 best

Water Moderate to no summer water once established. Can tolerate seasonal flooding.

Fertilizer Low

Other Best in well-drained soils

Management: Can be invasive in wet sites. Prune to manage. Needs support to climb. Host for

Phytophthora ramorum (Sudden Oak Death).

Propagation: from seed: yes; may require soaking, cold treatment by cuttings: hard- or semi-

softwood in summer/fall.

Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 2, 5, 8, 11, 13, 14, 19, 20, 24, 27 2/21/11 © Project SOUND

Lonicera hispidula Purple (Hairy) honeysuckle