Lonicera morrowii aka Morrow's Honeysuckle

Lonicera morrowii is also known as Morrow honeysuckle. It is a shrub in the honeysuckle family. It is deciduous, which means it sheds its leaves. It comes from northeast China, southern Korea, and parts of Japan. It grows in regions with a temperate climate. People brought it to the United States in 1875. They first grew it as a garden shrub. It then spread beyond gardens in many eastern and central states.

This shrub grows fast and forms dense, round clumps of branches. Garden plants reach 6–8 feet (1.8–2.4 metres) tall. They can spread to 10 feet (3.05 metres) wide. The bark is light brown, and young stems have hairs. Thin twigs have hollow centres. They turn greyish brown as they age. Small, blunt buds grow in pairs across from each other. The simple leaves grow in the same paired way. Their shape ranges from oval to oblong, with round bases. Leaves reach 2–2.5 inches long, with felt-like hairs beneath. Sources call them blue-green or dull green. They fall while still green and show no autumn colour.

Flowers have a sweet scent and grow in pairs. They grow where the leaves meet the stems. The blooms form tubes and open creamy white. Chicago Botanic Garden lists yellow flowers as well. The main bloom season runs from May to June. Deep red berries ripen in late summer. Each berry is about a quarter-inch wide. Both the flowers and fruit add interest to the view. The shrub also draws birds.

Morrow honeysuckle grows well in sun or part shade. It can withstand deep shade, too. It prefers moist loam that drains well, rich in organic matter. It also grows in average garden soil. Once plants take root, they can cope with drought. Sources say it tolerates deer and black walnut, too. Chicago Botanic Garden lists USDA zones 4–6. UConn also reports hardiness in warmer parts of zone 3. The shrub is easy to grow and move. UConn says to prune after the bloom season.

People have used it for hedges, screens, and barriers. Other past uses include wildlife cover and soil erosion control. Its invasive spread now limits its worth in gardens. Its seeds sprout in woods, roadsides, and disturbed ground. Missouri Botanical Garden says not to plant it around St. Louis. Powdery mildew, leaf spot, and fall webworms can cause problems. Reports differ on whether the fruit is safe. Plants For A Future warns that the berries are poisonous. It also notes that they can act as a laxative and cause vomiting. Given these warnings, the fruit cannot be called safe food.