Lonicera angustifolia

Lonicera angustifolia, or narrow-leafed honeysuckle, is a deciduous shrub in the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae. Its native range runs from Afghanistan to south-central China and northern Myanmar. It grows in temperate regions and is not native to Britain or Ireland. Wild plants grow in forests and scrub, among oak, fir and deodar. These habitats reach about 11,810 feet [3,600 metres] above sea level.

The shrub grows at a medium rate. It reaches about 8.9 feet [2.7 metres] tall in cultivation. It loses its leaves for winter. Its wood is hard and has a tight grain. People use it to make walking sticks. In gardens, it offers scented flowers and edible fruit. A sunny woodland edge suits its growing needs. PFAF also lists dappled shade as a possible garden setting.

The flowers open from April to May and have a light honeysuckle scent. Each flower has both male and female parts. Insects pollinate them, and the plant is self-fertile. The fruit is round and red, with a sweet taste. It is slightly smaller than a blackcurrant and can be eaten raw. Seeds ripen from July to August. Plants often bear another crop toward the end of summer. PFAF reports no known hazards, though this does not establish safety for every plant part.

This species is easy to grow in good, moist soil. It accepts sandy soil, loam and clay. Its soil pH range spans mildly acid to mildly alkaline conditions. Choose a sunny site for the best fruit crop. PFAF's shade guidance varies, but it states that shade reduces fruiting. The shrub withstands strong winds, but not exposed coastal conditions. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 4–8. Warmer climates support better flowering and fruiting than Britain. British crops vary by site, with good yields reported in eastern Britain. Trials in Cornwall gave only light crops.

Grow new plants from seed, cuttings or autumn layers. Sow fresh seed in a cold frame once ripe. Stored seed needs two months of cold treatment before sowing. Keep young seedlings under glass through their first winter. Plant them out after the last expected frosts. Summer cuttings use partly ripened shoots; late-autumn cuttings use mature wood. PFAF lists no known medicinal uses and does not flag this species as weedy.