Santa Fe Botanical Garden

Common name: Hall's Japanese honeysuckle

Family: Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle)

Distribution: Cultivated

Hardiness: USDA Zone 4 (-30 to -20 °F)

Life form: Vine/liana

Occurrence in New Mexico: Cultivar

Growing Conditions: This vigorous twining vine produces rampant growth from 15 to 30 feet, capable of covering shade arbors or fences in just a couple of seasons. The vine can be quite invasive, and can rapidly cover and suffocate shrubs or small trees if allowed to climb on them. When used as a groundcover on banks and slopes for erosion control, it should be cut back to the ground annually. It is easily grown in average, dry to moderately moist, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. It tolerates drought, and requires only occasional watering once established. Heavily scented flowers are less abundant in heavy shade. Honeysuckle prefers moist, loamy soils, but adapts to most any soil type. Prune annually to control the size.

Invasive/Aggressive characteristics: This vine can be very invasive when it has access to adequate water. It grows rapidly and can cover and suffocate shrubs and small trees. If used in the garden, great care should be taken to control it and with disposing unwanted material.

Description: Hall’s Japanese honeysuckle is a vigorous, twining vine that reaches up to 30 feet in length. The leaves are oval, lobed in juvenile growth and with smooth margins when mature, and oppositely paired along the stems. The fragrant, white, two-lipped tubular flowers gradually change to pale yellow from late spring to late summer. The flowers give rise to small glossy, black berries.