Leycesteria formosa, Himalayan Honeysuckle, is a medium-sized shrub with exotic and graceful pendulous inflorescences of white flowers with distinctive pinkish-purple bracts. The flowers are followed in autumn by red berries which turn purplish-black. The fruit is edible and tastes of chocolate with a slightly bitter aftertaste. They are much sought after and eaten by birds.
Order | Dipsacales |
---|---|
Family | Caprifoliaceae |
Sub-Family | Caprifolioideae |
Synonyms | Hamelia connata, Leycesteria formosa var. brachysepala, Leycesteria formosa var. formosa, Leycesteria formosa var. glandulosissima, Leycesteria formosa var. stenosepala, Leycesteria limprichtii, Leycesteria sinensis |
Geographical Origin | China, India, Bhutan, Kashmir, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan |
Cultivation | Rich well-drain soil. Full sun or partial shade |
Eventual Height | 2-3m |
Eventual Spread | 2m |
Hardiness | Hardy in most UK regions. Deciduous. Protect with fleece below -10C. Can be damaged by extreme sub-zero conditions but established plants usually sprout again from the base in Spring |
THIS OFFER IS VALID ON ALL OUR STORE ITEMS.