Tatarian Honeysuckle
Lonicera tatarica
A deciduous shrub featuring opposite, simple leaves, slender reddish-brown stems, and clusters of bright red to orange-red globose fruits developing after tubular flowers.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, ideally requiring 6 or more hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flowering and fruiting.
- Water
- Moderate water needs. Water deeply when the top few inches of soil feel dry. Established plants tolerate short periods of dry conditions.
- Growth
- Perennial deciduous shrub with an upright, multi-stemmed, and bushy growth habit. Reaches mature heights of 10 to 12 feet with a similar spread, growing at a moderate to fast rate.
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade in well-draining soil. Water regularly during the establishment period, then provide moderate drought tolerance once mature. Prune after flowering to maintain shape.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, ideally requiring 6 or more hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flowering and fruiting.
Watering
Moderate water needs. Water deeply when the top few inches of soil feel dry. Established plants tolerate short periods of dry conditions.
Soil
Adaptable to a wide range of soil types including clay, loam, and sandy soils, provided they are well-draining. Prefers a neutral to slightly alkaline pH range of 6.0 to 7.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 8
Growth habit
Perennial deciduous shrub with an upright, multi-stemmed, and bushy growth habit. Reaches mature heights of 10 to 12 feet with a similar spread, growing at a moderate to fast rate.
Bloom season
Blooms in mid to late spring with tubular flowers ranging from pink to white, often possessing a faint fragrance.
Propagation
Propagated easily through semi-hardwood cuttings taken in summer or by planting seeds harvested from mature fruits in autumn.
Common pests & issues
Generally resilient, but may occasionally experience infestations of aphids or leaf rollers, and fungal leaf spots in humid environments.
Similar species
Other bush honeysuckles such as Morrow's Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii) and Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii), distinguished primarily by leaf hairiness, shape, and exact floral characteristics.