Lonicera syringantha
lilac-flowered honeysuckle
A bushy deciduous shrub to 3m tall, with small, oblong, blue-green leaves and fragrant pale pink flowers 1cm wide in pairs in the leaf axils in spring and early summer, followed by red berries
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Pink | Blue Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Pink | Blue Green | ||
| Autumn | Red | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or East–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- Genus
Lonicera can be deciduous and evergreen shrubs, or climbers with twining stems. The tubular or two-lipped flowers, often very fragrant, are followed by red or black berries
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- China, Tibet
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow shrubby honeysuckle in any well drained soil in full sun or partial shade. See honeysuckle (shrubby) cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by greenwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to honeysuckle aphids, Thrips and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, fungal leaf spot, silver leaf and honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.