Don’t confuse Southern Bush Honeysuckle with the highly invasive non-native Lonicera japonica, which goes by the name of bush honeysuckle as well. Southern Bush Honeysuckle is a native plant that is great for dry, sunny sites and will grow to form a small hedge or shrub border. It is so named because the flowers closely resemble non-native honeysuckle flowers, but otherwise the plants are not related.

Care requirements:

Light requirements: Full Sun-Part Shade

Water requirements: Low-Medium

Soil requirements: Dry-Medium, well-drained

Bloom time: June-July

Bloom color: Yellow

Height: 3-5 feet

Width: 3-5 feet

USDA Zone: 5-8

Other notes: Southern Bush Honeysuckle thrives in windy, sunny, dry sites and is drought tolerant. It spreads via suckers and will form a thicket, making it great for stabilizing banks. It does not tolerate salt or poorly-draining clay soils. Flowers emerge on new growth so it is best to prune immediately after flowering ends. Best in full sun. There is a popular cultivar available with variegated leaves, but cultivars which change the color or appearance of leaves or flowers are best avoided because they are harder for pollinators to find and can affect pollen/nectar output.

Do you have Southern Bush Honeysuckle growing in your garden? Do you have any tips or tricks for growing it you would like to share? Do you know of any Southeastern nurseries that regularly stock it? Let us know in the comments!