Leycesteria formosa
Himalayan honeysuckle, Pheasant berry, Flowering nutmeg
- Height × spread
- 2m × 2m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Flowers
- Spring, Summer
Availability
Generally available in Summer
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This easy going shrub has many seasons of interest. It has handsome green stems that have a glaucous bloom, providing winter interest. The shrub has a pleasant arching habit with long, pointed, green leaves, sometimes with red suffusion. During the summer there are racemes of red flowers (actually tiny white flowers with red bracts) which develop into handsome red-purple fruits that have a subtle caramel scent. Birds, particularly pheasants, like to eat the fruit. For some reason this attractive shrub is not seen that often.
- Flower colour
- Red
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Spring foliage
- Red-young
- Stem colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Purple, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, sweet
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 2m
- Spread
- 2m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Flowers in
- Spring, Summer
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Seaside garden, Scented garden, Gravel garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Average winter to - 10C (RHS H4)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Coloured stems, Architectural, Bird attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
AutumnNow
Autumn - late · Outdoors
Apply mulch
Spread organic material around the plant being careful not to bury its crown, or to put the mulch above the point at which the plant has been grafted in the case of trees.
A mulch is a covering that can: protect the soil surface from rain, heat and cold; deter weeds; provide nutrients. Organic indicates that material has vegetative origin e.g. manure, compost. Synthetics i.e. plastics, or stones are often called mulches.
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Summer
Summer · Planting
Prune lightly after flowering
After the plant has flowered, shorten all the stems that have flowered by cutting the shoots back to lower healthy buds.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Found in
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Himalayan honeysuckle, Pheasant berry, Flowering nutmeg
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