Lonicera utahensis

Common Names

Utah Honeysuckle, Red Twinberry, Fly Honeysuckle, Rocky Mountain Honeysuckle

Summary

Utah honeysuckle is a native western North American deciduous shrub, typically 0.5–2 m tall and often forming clumps with slender spreading branches. It has opposite, simple leaves 2–8 cm long, and carries pale yellow to white, funnel-shaped, 5-lobed flowers in pairs on slender axillary peduncles (1–2 cm corolla); red to salmon-pink berries are produced later.

For cultivation, it grows in moist woods or open slopes as an understory plant in conifer forests and tolerates a range of soils; USDA hardiness 4–8. Propagation occurs by bare root, cuttings, and seed; it forms clumps and can spread via suckering but is not aggressive, making it suitable for woodland gardens and revegetation. It provides wildlife habitat and ornamental value, with flowers visited by hummingbirds and berries eaten by birds.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

3-6 feet

Spread

1.5-5 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4a-8a

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade; tolerates full sun.

Soil Type

Acidic, moist, well-drained soil, fine sandy loams to loamy sands, nitrogen-medium soils, high organic matter

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Mildly acidic to mildly alkaline soils (neutral acceptable)

Bloom Color

Pale yellow to white

Bloom Time

Summer

Foliage Color

Bright green above; pale green below

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Moderate

Seasons of Interest

Summer

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Root-crown sprouting

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds