Narrow-leafed honeysuckle
Lonicera angustifolia
Family: Caprifoliaceae
What it is like
Lonicera angustifolia or Narrow-Leaf Honeysuckle is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2.7 m (8ft 10in). The red, globular fruit is sweet and pleasant tasting, a bit smaller than a blackcurrant. Plants often produce a second crop in late summer. The wood is hard, very close-grained and used for walking sticks.
Lonicera angustifolia is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2.7 m (8ft 10in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from April to May, and the seeds ripen from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. 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. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
Height (m): 2.7
Where it is found
Forests and shrubberies, under oak, fir and deodar, to elevations of 3600 metres.
E. Asia - Himalayas.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Asia, Bhutan, India, Himalayas, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Tibet,
How it is used
Food
Rating: 4
Fruit - raw. Sweet and pleasant tasting, the fruit is a bit smaller than a blackcurrant. Plants often produce a second crop in late summer.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 2
Wood - hard, very close grained. Used for walking sticks.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
Scented Plants: Plants noted for their scent
How it is grown
An easily grown plant, it grows best in a good moist soil in a sunny position, it does not fruit so well in the shade. Plants are fairly wind tolerant. Plants flower and fruit better in hotter climates than Britain. Plants have been seen bearing good crops of fruit in eastern Britain, though we have only managed to produce light crops on our Cornish trial grounds. The flowers have a soft 'honeysuckle' perfume. This species is closely related to L. myrtillus.
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; Dappled Shade;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Banchulu, Chalu, Geang, Jinjru, Mithiga, Nani kaphal, Philku, Pirlu,