Lonicera xylosteum: The honeysuckle - a versatile shrub for naturalised gardens
Lonicera xylosteum, better known as red honeysuckle or common honeysuckle, is a native shrub that can be found in many European forests and gardens. With its dense growth, graceful flowering and red berries, the honeysuckle is not only a visual highlight, but also an important component of naturalised gardens. It provides birds and insects with valuable food and a protected habitat, making it an ecologically valuable shrub.
Appearance and growth behaviour
The common honeysuckle is a deciduous shrub that reaches a height of around 2 to 3 metres. It is characterised by its densely branched growth habit, which is ideal for hedges and shrub borders. In spring, usually from May, small, creamy white flowers appear, which are discreet yet graceful. They appear in pairs on the branches and attract insects, especially bees, with their sweet fragrance.
In summer, the flowering period is followed by bright red berries that adorn the shrub from July. Although these fruits are poisonous to humans, they serve as a valuable source of food for numerous bird species. The leaves of the honeysuckle are oval, slightly hairy and turn a delicate shade of yellow in autumn before falling off.
Care and location
Lonicera xylosteum is an extremely robust shrub that requires little care. The shrub thrives in both sunny and shady locations and is not very fussy when it comes to soil. However, loamy, well-drained soil offers ideal conditions. The common honeysuckle is also frost-hardy and wind-resistant, making it an ideal choice for exposed locations or hedge plantings.
Another advantage of honeysuckle is its tolerance to pruning. It can be pruned regularly to form a dense, compact hedge or left to grow freely for a natural, untamed look. This flexibility makes Lonicera xylosteum suitable for both formal gardens and near-natural designs.
Planting partners and ecological importance
The common honeysuckle is a valuable shrub for semi-natural gardens, as it provides important resources for both birds and insects. It is ideal for combining with other native shrubs to create ecologically valuable copses. In combination with privet Ligustrum vulgare, a dense copse is created that serves both as a nesting place for birds and a hiding place for small animals.
Flowering perennials such as cranesbill (geranium) also go well with honeysuckle and support the natural character of the garden. This combination of plants promotes biodiversity and creates a harmonious, natural appearance that is both aesthetically pleasing and ecologically valuable.
Lonicera xylosteum, the common honeysuckle, is a versatile and low-maintenance plant that is ideal for near-natural gardens. Its dense growth, delicate flowers and bright red berries make it a visual eye-catcher. At the same time, it provides valuable habitats for birds and insects, thus helping to promote biodiversity. In combination with other native shrubs and perennials, honeysuckle becomes a real highlight in any garden and is a particularly rewarding choice for nature-loving gardeners.
