Fly Honeysuckle, American fly honeysuckle
Lonicera canadensis

Family: Caprifoliaceae

What it is like

Lonicera canadensis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 1.5

Where it is found

Cool moist woods.

N. America - Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Minnesota.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Fruit. It is possibly edible. The fruit is about 6mm in diameter.

Medicine

Rating: 1

The steeped branches are a very effective diuretic. A decoction of the shoots is used in the treatment of chancres caused by syphilis. The bark is sedative. An infusion has been given to children who cry all night.

Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.

Sedative: Gently calms, reducing nervousness, distress and irritation.

VD: Used in the treatment of venereal disease

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Grows best in a good moist soil in a sunny position, it does not fruit so well in the shade.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 2 months cold stratification and should be sown as soon as possible in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with or without a heel, July/August in a frame. Good percentage. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 20cm with or without a heel, November in a cold frame. Good percentage. Layering in autumn.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 3-7

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

L. ciliata. Muhl.