Practical
Plants

Diervilla lonicera

Bush Honeysuckle

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
1 m
Spread
1 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The leaves are diuretic[6]. A compound decoction has been used in the treatment of stomach aches[6]. This contrasts with a report that the leaves contain a narcotic principle, inducing nausea[4]. The plant is used as a gargle in catarrhal angina[4]. The root is diuretic, galactogogue, laxative and ophthalmic[6]. A cooled infusion has been used as an eyewash for sore eyes[6]. The bark is laxative and ophthalmic[6]. An infusion has been used to increase milk flow in a nursing mother and as an eyewash for sore eyes[6].

Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Galactogogue
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Narcotic
Product or use
Ophthalmic

Material uses

The plants stoloniferous habit makes it useful for soil stabilization on banks and slopes[3].

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Newfoundland to Florida.
Habitat
Dry gravelly soils[3] in woodlands[5].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if possible, otherwise in late winter or early spring. 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. Division of suckers in the spring[3]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[2]. Cuttings of mature wood, late autumn in a frame[2].

Cultivation

Succeeds in a moist fertile well-drained soil and is not fussy as to soil type[3]. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[2]. Plants are hardy to about -30°c[3]. This species is a spreading suckering plant[1], it makes a useful understorey planting in woodlands[3]. Any pruning can be carried out in the winter or after flowering[2]. 2 or 3 year old stems can be removed in order to promote a more shapely bush[2]. Flowers are produced on the current seasons growth[1]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[3].

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  4. Coffey. T. The History and Folklore of North American Wild Flowers. Facts on File. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-8160-2624-6

    ↩1↩2

  5. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

    ↩

  6. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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