There’s something gratifying about finding a native substitute for invasive honeysuckles, and this loosely twining perennial is equally suited for large or small spaces (other common names are twining honeysuckle and small honeysuckle). While it’s more of a semi-erect shrub, it has arching stems that grow 3 to 10 feet long, climbing over nearby vegetation or sprawling along the ground. The common name indicates the color of the berries and flowers, although the blooms may range in color from rose or brick-colored to greenish yellow or yellow tinged with purple. They’re arranged in 1 to 3 crowded whorls at the ends of branches from May to June, giving way to green berries that mature to orange and then red in early fall. Also known as smooth-leaved honeysuckle, this plant has green, egg-shaped leaves that turn a pretty yellow in fall. The 2 to 3 pairs of leaves near the end of the branch have an interesting habit; they join at the base to create the illusion of a single leaf. The tip-most pair of leaves curve to form a cup that surrounds the cluster of flowers and, later, red berries. Ruby-throated hummingbirds are frequent visitors to honeysuckle flowers. Some theorize that red honeysuckle tends to grow in open areas so that the hummingbirds can see the brightly colored flowers. Plant it by a sitting area to enjoy the quiet pleasure of hummingbirds drinking from the intricate flowers. During winter, the peeling bark adds another dimension to the landscape.
Red honeysuckle is native to the central and eastern United States and is commonly found in boggy areas and wet sites at high elevations in woods and thickets, often in sandy or rocky ground. Accordingly, it does very well in full or part sun and a wide range of well-drained, moist to dry soils. Young plants need regular watering to establish root systems. Once established, plants are moderately drought tolerant. Abundant light, air circulation, and adequate drainage will help to prevent powdery mildew, which is the only reported disease that bothers the plant. It can be pruned, but keep in mind that flowers will appear on old growth. Deer tend to avoid honeysuckle.
Lonicera is named for German botanist Adam Lonicer (1528-1586). Dioica means “two houses” and references an initial mistake by Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus, who thought the plant was dioecious. “Honeysuckle” refers to the flowers’ nectar. Other common names are limber honeysuckle, mountain honeysuckle, wild honeysuckle, and glaucous honeysuckle.
Native habitats include dry to wet, open woods; woodland edges, borders, and clearings; thickets; fencerows; and sometimes wetlands. Great for vertical spaces, woodlands, native or pollinator gardens, or for use as a privacy screen or a groundcover in areas where it’s hard to grow grass. In urban areas that require smaller plants, use vertically on a trellis or in a container.
Plant Characteristics:
Grows 3-10’ long and 3-6’ wide.
Grows in full sun to part shade.
Prefers loamy, medium moisture, well-drained conditions but adapts to a wide range of well-drained, moist to dry soils. Tolerates occasionally dry or wet conditions.
Stalkless, deep red to yellowish flowers with yellow stamens bloom in late spring. Flower is ½-1” long with a long, slender, two-lipped tube. The five hairy stamens have pale tips and a long, slender, hairy style with a dome-shaped stigma at the tip. Round to oval, bright red/orange-red berries are ¼-1/2” long and grow in clusters within the joined upper leaves. Each berry has 3-8 yellow seeds.
Simple, opposite green leaves are 1-3” long and have smooth, somewhat wavy margins and pale blue-green undersides. Leaves may have a waxy, bluish-white coating (glaucous), especially underneath.
Young stems have a glaucous coating. Older woody stems have brown or grayish shredding bark.
Reproductive System: Has perfect flowers (male and female parts on the same flower) and is self-fertile. Cross-pollination by insects greatly increases amount of blooms. The plant also reseeds itself.
Wildlife Value:
Host plant to 26 species of Lepidoptera larvae, including hummingbird and snowberry clearwing moths (both pictured here) and specialist moths gray scoopwing and Ursula wainscot. Nectar and pollen attract hummingbirds and long-tongued bees, and birds and small mammals eat the fruits. The plant shows moderate resistance to deer and rabbits.
Medicinal, Edible, and Other Uses:
Native Americans used the plant to treat fever, tuberculosis, kidney stones, venereal disease, worms, and menstrual issues. Also used it as a cathartic, a diuretic, and an emetic to “throw off effects of love medicine.”
Caution: berries are mildly toxic to humans.
Resources:
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=lodi2
North Carolina Extension: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/lonicera-dioica/
USDA Forest Service: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fsm91_054126.pdf
WFO: https://wfoplantlist.org/
Minnesota Seasons: http://www.minnesotaseasons.com/Plants/limber_honeysuckle.html
Gardenia: https://www.gardenia.net/plant/lonicera-dioica-limber-honeysuckle
Johnson’s Nursery: https://kb.jniplants.com/limber-honeysuckle-lonicera-dioica
Michigan Flora: https://michiganflora.net/record/718
Burnham, R.J. (2008-2014). "CLIMBERS: Censusing Lianas in Mesic Biomes of Eastern RegionS."
<http://climbers.umich.edu>. (12/21/24).