Lonicera hirsuta aka Hairy Honeysuckle

Lonicera hirsuta, or hairy honeysuckle, is a woody vine. It is perennial, which means it lives for many years. It belongs to the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae. It sheds its leaves each year. Its native range spans eastern Canada. It also covers the north-central and northeastern United States. It grows in woods and thickets, along banks, and near clearings. Wild plants grow on sandy or rocky ground, sometimes in swamps.

This vine grows fast and climbs by twining around supports. It can also trail along the ground. It reaches 3–16 feet [0.91–4.88 metres] long. Its garden spread is 3–5 feet [0.91–1.52 metres]. Young stems are green, with long, glandular hairs. They can root where they touch the soil. In year two, twigs turn gray-brown and lose their hairs. Older stems have gray bark that sheds in thin sheets. Dark green leaves grow in pairs across from each other. Their lower sides are paler, and both sides have hairs. Each leaf blade is oval to elliptic, with a smooth edge. The leaf pair below each flower cluster joins around the stem. This forms a disk beneath the blooms.

Flowers open from early to mid-summer. The source also lists bloom in spring. They start yellow, then turn orange to orange-red with age. Each slim flower tube ends in two lips. The stamens reach out past those lips. Flower hairs give the blooms a sticky feel. They grow in whorls of six that form larger clusters. Nectar draws pollinators, and the flowers hold special value for bumblebees. Round or oval berries turn orange-red, adding interest in fall. Their flesh is rich in sugar. It feeds local birds and small mammals late in the season.

Grow this vine in sun, part shade, or dappled light. It needs moderate to high moisture and soil that drains well. Once its roots take hold, it withstands some dry spells. It grows in a range of soils, including sand and rock. Neutral and alkaline soils suit it. It thrives in cool regions and at higher elevations. Its listed hardiness spans USDA zones 2–6. It needs little care. The source reports no major pest or disease problems.

A trellis or fence supports the stems to form a screen. The vine can add height to a perennial border. It suits cottage gardens and areas for wildlife or pollinators. Its flowers and fruit add interest in more than one season. Growers can prune it, but flowers form on older growth. They can raise it from seed or by layering stems. The supplied evidence does not show whether humans can eat it. Nor does it show whether the plant is toxic.