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Blueleaf Honeysuckle (Lonicera korolkowii) and
Tatarian Honeysuckle(Lonicera tatarica)

Habitat Management Suggestions for Selected Wildlife Species
 By R.J. Mackie, R.F. Batchelor, M.E. Majerus, J.P. Weigand, and V.P. Sundberg

Blueleaf Honeysuckle Description:

This dense, upright shrub, introduced from Turkestan, USSR, has spreading branches and grows oval-shaped leaves, which are sharply pointed at the tip and rounded at the base. The leaves are a bluish-green color and pubescent on the underside. They range in size from ½ to 1 inch long. The branches are grayish-tan. The flowers are rosy pink and the fruit bright red. The plants grow 6 to 8 feet tall in Montana.

Tatarian Honeysuckle Description:

The habit of this bushy shrub, from the Altai Mountains in southern Russia and Turkestan, is upright with smooth, gray-colored, spreading branches. Most leaves are ovate, 1 to 2 inches long, sharply pointed at the tip, and rounded to somewhat heart-shaped at the base. They are dark green above and pale green to bluish-green beneath. The flowers are deep pink to lavender, and the fruit is red and round. The plants grow 6 to 10 feet tall in Montana.

Adaptation:

These honeysuckle species are winterhardy, drought tolerant, and moderately tolerant to alkali. They grow best under cultivation on well drained soils that are moderately deep and receive at least 10 to 12 inches of moisture.

Establishment:

The planting stock should be either one year old, transplanted one time only, or two years old without being previously transplanted. The seedlings should be 12 to 24 inches tall. They should be planted 6 to 8 feet apart.

Management and Care:

Honeysuckle requires little care after becoming established. With age, however, the plants tend to open up at the bottom, but can be rejuvenated by pruning the stems off at near-ground level. There are no serious insect or disease problems known to affect these species.

Uses:

The fruit is eaten by a number of songbirds, especially robin, and junco. The plants provide cover for various birds and animals, but have little value as browse. A number of birds make use of the plants for nesting.

The attractive flowers, fruit and foliage provide beautification features.

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These honeysuckle species are winterhardy, drought tolerant, and moderately tolerant to alkali.