Leycesteria formosa
Himalayan Honeysuckle
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Genus
- Leycesteria
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- moderate
- Height
- 2.5 m
- Spread
- 2.5 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
Fruit? - one unconfirmed report said that the fruit is edible. It has a very bitter taste and is not very desirable, though the birds love it[K].
- Plant part
- Fruit
Material uses
The hollow stems can be made into whistles and flutes[3][4].
- Product or use
- Musical
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - China to the Himalayas. An occasional garden escape in Britain.
- Habitat
- Scrub and shady forests, often by streams, to 3000 metres[10].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerances
- high wind
- Wind
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
Seed - best sown in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe in late autumn[11]. Very easy when done this way[2], it germinates in the spring. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer or following spring. Stored seed requires a period of cold stratification and can take more than a year to germinate. Sow it as soon as possible in a cold frame. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Plant out in spring. Good percentage[11]. Cuttings of mature wood, 20 - 25cm with a heel, planted in open ground in October/November. Good percentage[11]. Cuttings of greenwood in spring in a frame[1]. Division in autumn[8]. Very simple, plant the divisions out direct into their permanent positions.
Cultivation
Succeeds in most fertile soils, preferably of a woodland nature[1][2]. In Britain it grows better in full sun than in shade[2]. Tolerates limy soils[8]. Tolerates urban pollution, maritime conditions and windswept locations[8], though not full maritime exposure[K]. This species is hardy to -15°c[6], it can be cut to the ground in severe winters but usually resprouts from the base[8]. The flowers, which are delicately scented, are borne at the end of the current season's growth[9]. Birds, especially pheasants, are very fond of the fruit[2][5]. Plants frequently self-sow when growing in suitable conditions[5]. Plants do not normally need pruning though weak shoots can be cut back to ground level in the spring in order to encourage more vigorous growth[7].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00
Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8
Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00