WSU Clark County Extension
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Purple-Leaf Japanese Honeysuckle

Scientific name: Lonicera japonica 'Purpurea'
Taxonomy
Family:Caprifoliaceae
Type:Vines
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:4 to 10
Sun:Partial shade
Moisture:Dry
Plant Characteristics
Height:30 ft
Width:12 ft
Bloom:Fragrant flowers
Bloom Time:May to August
Bloom Color:Lavender
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description Japanese Honeysuckle is a woody trailing vine that grows quickly on a trellis or fence providing a sweetly-fragrant screen for privacy or shade

  Morphology:
In the Northwest Japanese Honeysuckle is a deciduous vine. Leaves emerge in mid-April starting out purple but turn to green. This vine can grow to a height of 30’ and a width of 12’. Leaves are 1.5”-3” in length and elliptic. They are arranged in compound opposite form.

Flowers begin to emerge in May and continue to appear well into August. Flowers are up to 1.5” long, 2-lipped, and are very fragrant, thus attracting both hummingbirds and bees. In September flowers give rise to red berries. Songbirds quickly find the tasty berries.

  Adaptation:
Japanese honeysuckle prefers partial shade, but lacks a specific soil preference.

In the humid mid-Atlantic and southeastern US, Japanese honeysuckle can be a rampant weed. In the arid regions of the Pacific Northwest, it is a welcome climber that does not become invasive.

  Pests:
None reported.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
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