Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Leycesteria formosa 'Purple Rain'

Himalayan honeysuckle 'Purple Rain'

'Purple Rain' is a deciduous shrub with green, arching, cane-like stems and soft, pointed leaves. Small white flowers, with deep purply-red bracts, appear in hanging clusters in summer and autumn, followed by shiny, deep purple berries

Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Green
Summer Green Red White Green
Autumn Green Red White Green Purple
Winter Green
Position
  • Full shade
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or South–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Caprifoliaceae
Native to the UK
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

Leycesteria are deciduous shrubs with hollow stems, simple leaves and terminal and axillary racemes of tubular flowers, followed by fleshy berries

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Easily grown in any garden, but especially good for woodland gardens in sun or shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Coastal
  • Low Maintenance
Pruning

Pruning group 3

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to 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.