Description
Form: A rambling vine.
Lifespan: Perennial.
Leaf retention: Evergreen but cold deciduous.
Growth rate: Rapid.
Mature Size: 30' (9m) long as a climbing vine or 2' (60cm) high as a ground cover.
Flowers: White, quickly aging to light yellow, fragrant, edible when not aged, bitter when aged. The nectar is safe to consume.
Bloom: Spring into summer.
Fruit: Tiny black berries containing a few seeds, inedible.
Leaves: Oval, dark green.
Stems: Herbaceous when young, becoming woody. The vine roots wherever its stem nodes touch ground. It must be fastened on vertical surfaces because it has no tendrils or aerial rootlets to assist climbing.
Roots: This plant spreads by rhizomes and is highly invasive in moist ground. Its dense growth can climb over and smother plants and shrubs.
Wildlife: The flowers attract butterflies, bees and, when trellised, hummingbirds, who like to stay more than 3' (1m) above the ground. The berries attract birds. The foliage is browsed by mammals.
Toxic / Danger: All parts of this plant are slightly poisonous except its flowers. The nectar is safe to consume.
Origin: East Asia, including China, Japan and Korea.

Cultivation and Uses
USDA hardiness zones: 4-11.
Heat tolerant: Yes.
Drought tolerant: Yes.
Sun: Full sun to part shade.
Soil: This plant is tolerant of soil types, but does best in soil of pH 6.1-7.8 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline).
Water once established: Deep water once or twice a month. In the hottest months of the year, in full sun, more frequent watering may better maintain its appearance.
Mulch: This vine's shallow roots should be mulched to prevent heat damage.
Planting: This vine can be grown in a large container to prevent invasiveness.
Prune: Trim back 30% between fall and mid-winter to contain its size and remove dead vine build-up which can be a fire hazard. Cut it nearly to the ground to start over.
Litter: Moderate.
Propagation: Seed, cuttings or layering.
Uses: Ornamental, trellised screening, erosion control on banks and slopes in desert regions.

Comments
This plant is a member of the Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). It is often sold in nurseries as Lonicera japonica 'Halliana'.

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