Wild Honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida)
Wild Honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida) is a dense, fast growing, evergreen shrub that can grow up to 3m tall.
Useful info about Wild Honeysuckle trees
| Latin Name | Lonicera nitida |
| Type | Evergreen |
| Height | Can grow up to 3m (9ft) |
| Spread | The branches can spread out to 3m (9ft) |
| Soil Types Preferred | Chalk, Clay, Limestone, Loam, Sand |
| Locations Suitable | Farmland, Gardens, Hedgerows, Parks |
| Flowers | In spring small (1cm), creamy white flowers appear in pairs and are tubular in shape. |
| Fruit | Glossy purple-blue berries in late summer / autumn |
Description
Honeysuckle flowers have a sweet, heady scent. The scent is strongest at night, in order to attract pollinating moths. Honeysuckle is a climbing plant, common in hedgerows, scrub and woodlands, where it twines itself around other shrubs and trees. Trumpet-shaped flowers appear from June to August and clusters of red berries ripen in the autumn.
Honeysuckle has climbing, twining stems that are red when young; they climb clockwise around the branches and stems of other plants, sometimes distorting them. Its grey-green, oval leaves appear from February and stay on the plant until autumn, or even over winter.
Honeysuckle's nectar-rich, scented flowers attract moths which are, in turn, preyed upon by bats. New shoots attract blackfly which bring hungry Blue Tits, lacewings and ladybirds. Its climbing stems provide nest sites and material for birds, such as Blackbirds and Pied Flycatchers, and small mammals like Dormice. Its juicy red berries are eaten by many birds and also squirrels.
Uses
It is frequently used as a hedge plant in the UK.
DISCLAIMER
Any uses for trees or tree extracts, whether edible or medicinal, have not been tried or tested by EFORESTS.
Please take caution and seek proper advice before attempting any recipes or medicinal extracts from any of the trees listed on our site.
Culture and Symbolism
Wild Honeysuckle is believed to represent fidelity.
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