Lonicera conjugialis aka Purple Flower Honeysuckle

Lonicera conjugialis belongs to the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae. It is a deciduous shrub, which means it sheds its leaves. Its native range lies in the western United States. Kew lists it as a plant of temperate climates. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. It grows upright to about 5 feet [1.5 metres] tall. The size record gives no separate range for garden plants. It gives no width, so its mature spread remains unclear. This plant is a shrub, not a twining climber.

The bark is grey-brown, and the twigs are thin. Young twigs are green, but they turn tan with age. A cut across a twig shows a square shape. This shape can help when you check the stems. Leaves grow in pairs, one opposite the other. Each leaf is simple: it has no separate leaflets. Leaf shapes range from elliptical, or oval, to almost round. They measure 1–3 inches long and have smooth, unbroken edges. Fine hairs cover the leaves. The plant does not keep its leaves all year. Leaf shape and hair cover can help you name it. The shape of the twigs gives a further clue.

The flowers grow in pairs on long, upright stalks. They range in colour from dark red to purple. Each flower measures about a quarter to half an inch long. The corolla, or set of petals, has two distinct lips. The upper lip stands upright, while the lower one bends back. This gives each small flower a clear, uneven outline. The species account does not say when it blooms. Nor does it give facts about scent or pollinators. Do not assume it shares these traits with other honeysuckles.

Juicy berries grow in pairs on long, upright stalks. Each orange-red berry measures a quarter to half an inch across. Thus, both the flowers and the berries grow in pairs. This fruit account does not show that people can eat them. The evidence gives no facts about poison in this species. It cannot confirm food use or safety for pets. Care details are scarce beyond the temperate climate record. The sources give no guidance on light, water, soil, or hardiness. They also give no garden uses or facts about pests and diseases.