Leycesteria formosa

Himalayan Honeysuckle
Leycesteria formosa
Type: Deciduous Shrub
Exposure: Full Sun / Light Shade
Water: Regular

Once a favorite in Victorian shrubberies, the Himalayan Honeysuckle features upright, fast growing stems that begin as a handsome grey-green, maturing to a bright green. These are covered with 6in (15cm) bright green leaves, appearing in pairs in the spring. Flowers arrive in early summer in the form of 2-4in (5-10cm) long clusters, which in reality are honeysuckle-ish white blooms surrounded by showy purplish leaf bracts. These last right through the summer before forming berries in October/ November. These berries start out green, before turning red and then black; all colors can be present on the shrub at once. When ripe, the berries are edible (although the jury’s out as to whether they’re worth eating), are said to attract wildlife, and contribute to fall and winter interest.

Cheers,

John