College of Agricultural Sciences
School of Forest Resources
F A C T S H E E T: I N V A S I V E W E E D S
BUSH HONEYSUCKLES
E
xotic bush honeysuckles (Lonicera spp.) are upright
deciduous shrubs, which out compete many native
plant species for natural habitat. Native to Europe,
eastern Asia, and Japan, bush honeysuckles were introduced in the 1800’s as ornamentals. They were also planted
for wildlife food and cover. The various species quickly naturalized and can now be found from New England south to
North Carolina and west to Iowa. The two species commonly
found in Pennsylvania are Tartarian honeysuckle (Lonicera
tatarica) and Morrow’s honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii).
B
N
H
ush honeysuckles reach heights up to sixteen feet tall. The simple, oval to oblong leaves
have opposite arrangement. Leaves appear in early spring and remain on the bush until November. The shaggy barked stems and branches of mature honeysuckles are hollow. Bush
honeysuckles flower between May and June producing tubular, fragrant flowers. Tartarian
honeysuckle produces pink flowers, while Morrow’s are yellowish white. Both honeysuckle species
produce fruit that matures between July and August. Tartarian honeysuckle berries are reddish, while
the Morrow’s berries are orange. The multi-seeded berries are born in pairs.
on-native bush honeysuckles are easily distinguished from
native species. The native stout, erect shrubs grow in dry or
rocky sites, while the non-native hone ysuckles prefer
moister soils. Another identifying characteristic of the native honeysuckles are the yellow flowers. Invasive honeysuckles leaf
out one to two weeks before the native honeysuckles and hold their
leaves later into the fall.
oneysuckles grow in a wide range of habitats. They can be
found in abandoned fields, along roadsides, near marshes,
and in recently disturbed woodlots. They tolerate varying
moisture conditions. Honeysuckles will grow in moderate
shade but thrive in full sun. Birds feed on honeysuckle berries, spreading the seeds. Seeds in the soil can remain viable for several years waiting for the correct conditions to sprout.
(Continued on page 2)
Fact Sheet: Invasive Weeds
Page 2
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oneysuckles spread quickly and are very invasive. A light infestation of bush hone ysuckle can be cleared by hand because of it
shallow root system. When removing the
honeysuckle by hand, take care to remove all of the roots,
because new sprouts will grow from the root system.
here are several methods for controlling severe
infestations of bush honeysuckle. Cutting
them in early spring and late fall for several
years will eventually kill the honeysuckle by
reducing the plant’s reserve nutrients. Do not cut the
bushes in the winter because this will cause the plant to resprout vigorously. Applying a glyphosate herbicide to the leaves or a freshly cut stump late in the growing season will also help control bush hone ysuckles. Glyphosate kills non-target species so care must be taken when spraying the foliage. Conducting
prescribed burns during the growing season for several years also reduces the amount of bush honeysuckle
in an area. Replanting disturbed woods with native species is a good way to discourage an infestation of
nonnative bush honeysuckle.
Prepared by Anne T. Lenox, Forest Resources Cooperative Extension staff and undergraduate in Forest Science
Contact: Forest Resources Extension, 7 Ferguson Building, University Park PA 16802-2602 or visit our Web site at http://rnrext.cas.psu.
edu.
Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences research, extension, and resident education programs are funded in part by Pennsylvania counties, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
This publication is available from the Publications Distribution Center, The Pennsylvania State University, 112 Agricultural Administration
Building, University Park, PA 16802. For information telephone (814) 865-6713.
The first two photographs are used with the permission of (c)John Randall/The Nature Conservancy. The third photograph is used with
the permission of Kenneth R. Robertson.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of Congress May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U. S. Department
of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Legislature. T. R. Alter, Director of Cooperative Extension, The Pennsylvania State University.
This publication is available in alternative media on request.
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