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Summary
Native to northern North America Lonicera villosa or Mountain honeysuckle is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft). The blue berries are eaten raw or preserved. They have a milder flavour than most edible honeysuckles; they can be eaten raw but are mainly used for making jams, jellies and refreshing drinks. There is a distinct bitterness in the flavour, even when fully ripe. Lonicera villosa solonis is smaller plant growing to 0.8 m (2ft 6in).
Physical Characteristics
Lonicera villosa is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft) at a slow rate. It is in flower from April to May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
L. coerulea edulis. Reg.
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:
Fruit - raw or preserved[43, 105, 200]. A milder flavour than most edible honeysuckles, they can be eaten raw but are mainly used in making jams, jellies and refreshing drinks[183]. There is a distinct bitterness in the flavour, even when fully ripe[K].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
None known
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Prefers a good moist soil in a sunny position, fruiting less well when grown in the shade[200]. Closely related to L. caerulea[200]. Polymorphic. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is multistemmed with multiple stems from the crown [1-2].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 2 months cold stratification[113] and should be sown as soon as possible in a cold frame. 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. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with or without a heel, July/August in a frame. Good percentage[78]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 20cm with or without a heel, November in a cold frame. Good percentage[78]. Layering in autumn[200].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada, Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, United States, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio (Ashtabula Co.), Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Minnesota, Wisconsin,
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
(Michx.)Roem.&Schult.
Botanical References
43200
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