Lonicera hispidula aka Pink Honeysuckle

Lonicera hispidula is known as pink or hairy honeysuckle. It belongs to the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae. Its native range runs from southwestern Canada to California and Guadalupe. Oregon populations grow west of the Cascades. In California, it grows in coastal mountains and the Sierra Nevada. This woody plant can form a shrub or sprawling vine. Its slender runners also twine and climb through nearby growth.

Plants may lose their leaves or keep some through winter. Garden height ranges from 13–26 feet [4–8 metres]. The RHS describes about 20 feet [6 metres] as usual. Spread reaches 8–13 feet [2.5–4 metres]. Thin bark turns reddish brown and may peel in strips. Young stems carry hairs and have hollow centres. The leaves grow in opposite pairs and have smooth edges. They range from oval to almost heart-shaped, with blue-green upper surfaces. Pale bloom or soft hairs cover their undersides. The top leaf pair joins around the stem, forming a disk.

Pink or purple flowers appear in spring and summer. Clusters form at stem tips and in leaf axils. Each tubular flower has two lips and may bear hairs. The upper lip has four shallow lobes. Red to orange-red berries follow the flowers in small clusters. Their translucent flesh holds several seeds. Sources disagree about whether people can eat the fruit. Virginia Tech calls it edible but bitter. The RHS warns against eating it and flags risks for pets. Treat the berries as ornamental rather than food.

This honeysuckle grows in sun, partial shade, or full shade. Oregon State reports drought tolerance once roots have become established. It favours acidic soil but tolerates a wider pH range. The RHS lists clay, loam, sand, and chalk as suitable. Moist soil should drain well rather than remain waterlogged. Oregon State gives cold hardiness to USDA Zone 5. The RHS rates it H5 for UK conditions. Plants reach mature size in five to ten years.

Use it on banks, as ground cover, or against walls. The RHS also lists coastal and informal gardens as suitable settings. Prune after flowering, and propagate through layering or cuttings. Aphids, thrips, and glasshouse whitefly may attack it. Disease risks include powdery mildew, fungal leaf spot, and silver leaf. Honey fungus can occur, though the RHS calls it rare.