Himalayan Honeysuckle

Féithleann álainn
Latin name: Leycesteria formosa

The Himalayan honeysuckle grows along garden walls or hedgerows. It grows in among other plants very quickly!

Can you guess where it comes from?

The Himalayan honeysuckle is native to the Himalayas!

There is a lot growing in Irish hedgerows today. Many people plant them in their gardens too. It is a deciduous shrub. After about four years, the Himalayan honeysuckle grows new stems.

Himalayan honeysuckle

Irish name: Féithleann álainn Latin name: Leycesteria formosa

©Jenny Seawright

Himalayan honeysuckle
©Jenny Seawright

Himalayan honeysuckle

Irish name: Féithleann álainn Latin name: Leycesteria formosa

©Jenny Seawright

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Have you ever heard of a plant called ‘pheasant berry’?

This is another name for the Himalayan honeysuckle. It is sometimes grown as shelter for pheasants. It is very bushy. This protects the pheasants when they are nesting.

The small red-pink coloured flowers grow from July to September.

The Himalayan honeysuckle has oval, pointy leaves. Its stems are soft and hollow. They become more like wood when they are older. They are great for making whistles!

Lots of different wildlife love honeysuckle.

The hummingbird loves the scent of the flowers. Other birds and animals eat the soft purple berries. These berries are ripe in the autumn. Animals help to spread the seeds that are inside the berries.

Remember! Humans cannot eat these berries.