Lonicera chrysantha
Turcz.
Honeysuckle
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(c) vladimir_korotkov, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by vladimir_korotkov
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(c) Svetlana Nesterova, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Svetlana Nesterova
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(c) Ilya Bogachyov, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ilya Bogachyov
Description
Lonicera chrysantha is a deciduous Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft 1in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from May to June. 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.
Edible Uses
Fruit - raw. The fruit is about 7mm in diameter.
Distribution
E. Asia - Japan.
Where It Grows
TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation (Chita), Mongolia, Russian Federation (Kurile Islands (south), Primorye, Amur, Sakhalin), China (Anhui Sheng, Gansu Sheng (south), Guizhou Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng (south), Henan Sheng (west), Hubei Sheng, Jiangsu Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Jilin Sheng (east), Liaoning Sheng (south), Nei Mongol Zizhiqu (south), Ningxia Huizi Zizhiqu, Qinghai Sheng (east), Shaanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng (east & north), Xizang Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng), Korea, Japan (Hokkaidô)
Cultivation
An easily grown plant, succeeding in any fertile soil, and preferring a good moist soil in a sunny position. It does not fruit so well when grown in the shade. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -40°c. Flowers and fruits are freely produced in Britain. Closely related to L. demissa. Some named forms have been developed for their ornamental value.
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 2 months cold stratification 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. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 20cm with or without a heel, November in a cold frame. Good percentage. Layering in autumn.
