Exotic bush honeysuckles are upright, generally deciduous shrubs that range from 6 to 15 feet in height. The 1-2 ½ inch, egg-shaped leaves are opposite along the stem and short-stalked. Pairs of fragrant, tubular flowers less than an inch long are borne along the stem in the leaf axils. Flower color varies from creamy white to pink or crimson in some varieties. Flowering generally occurs from early to late spring, but varies for each species and cultivar. The fruits are red to orange, many-seeded berries. Native bush honeysuckles may be confused with these exotic species and cultivars, so proper identification is necessary.

Click here for images to help you identify Honeysuckle.

Ecological Threat

Exotic bush honeysuckles can rapidly invade and overtake a site, forming a dense shrub layer that crowds and shades out native plant species. They alter habitats by decreasing light availability, by depleting soil moisture and nutrients, and possibly by releasing toxic chemicals that prevent other plant species from growing in the vicinity. Exotic bush honeysuckles may compete with native bush honeysuckles for pollinators, resulting in reduced seed set for native species. In addition, the fruits of exotic bush honeysuckles, while abundant and rich in carbohydrates, do not offer migrating birds the high-fat, nutrient-rich food sources needed for long flights, that are supplied by native plant species.

Control Methods

Honeysuckle has a relatively shallow root system and young plants can be easily hand pulled. Be sure to tamp down soil after pulling. Older shrubs will need to be cut close to the ground (preferably in the spring,  just after the plant has leafed-out). Regrowth will likely occur, but plants will weaken after a few years of re cutting.

Similiar Species

Lonicera x bella Zabel (Bell's honeysuckle)
Lonicera tartarica. L (Tartarian honeysuckle)
Lonicera maackii (Rupr.) Herder (Amur honeysuckle)
Lonicera xylosteum L. (Dwarf honeysuckle)
Lonicera spp. (Native bush honeysuckles) *

*One way to differentiate between the invasive bush honeysuckles and the native ones is that the invasive honeysuckles all have hollow stems, while the the stems of the native ones are solid.