Limber Honeysuckle is a Wisconsin native vine. It’s a low, climbing, vine-like shrub with arching branches. In late spring, expect a display of showy red, stalk-less flowers with yellow stamens. Afterwards, it forms green fruits that mature to a vibrant red-orange. It’s deciduous, and the glossy green leaves turn yellow in fall before falling off. The long, cone-shaped, red flowers attract hummingbirds and other pollinators, while the berries are desirable to birds.
Native to Canada and central to eastern United States. This variety of honeysuckle is considered non-invasive, but the fruit is poisonous to humans.
Flowers are attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees. Berries are attractive to birds and native wildlife. Will host butterflies.
Prune spent flowers to promote repeat bloom. Prune the vine back in the winter to increase flowering later. Limber Honeysuckle can be severely pruned if necessary, to control their size. This is best done in fall or winter when the plant is dormant.
Honeysuckle in general have no known serious issues.
Most plants can be prone to common, ornamental (non-lethal) issues caused by various environmental conditions. Clematis may be susceptible to wilt/stem rot (potentially fatal), powdery mildew, leaf spots, rust, and viruses. Potential insect pests include aphids, vine weevils, slugs, snails, scale, and earwigs. Watch for spider mites. Alleviate these common issues with over-the-counter insecticides or pesticides.
Limber Honeysuckle, also called Wild Honeysuckle, is commonly found in boggy areas and other wet sites at high elevations in coniferous and deciduous woods or in thickets with sandy or rocky soils.
The genus, Lonicera, is named for Adam Lonicer, a German botanist known for his passion of herbs and botany. This plant was first cultivated in 1636. Native American tribes used the vine to treat fevers, tuberculosis, menstrual difficulties, kidney stones, worms, and to throw off the effects of love medicine. However, the berries are inedible and cause moderate nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Peony, Coneflower, Bee Balm, other tall perennials.
Limber Honeysuckle flowers are not extremely vibrant so if you want color, those are a few vibrant perennials that can also add depth to an area.