1. * Chaparral Honeysuckle – Lonicera interrupta
(lon-IS-er-uh
in-ter-UP-tuh )
Family: Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)
Native to: Foothills from s. OR to AZ, locally in foothills of San Gabriel & Libre Mtns; on dry slopes,
ridges in chaparral, yellow pine forest, mixed forest to 6000'.
half-woody perennial vine/shrub
mature length: 6-10+ ft.
Sprawling, deciduous shrub/vine with a stout woody base and herbaceous new growth typical of
native honeysuckles. Leaves simple, rounded, opposite and fused to stem.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms mid-spring to mid-summer, usually May-June in our area. Flowers are a
lovely buttery yellow – lovely, old-fashioned look with sweet fragrance.
Fruits are bright,
translucent red, bitter but edible. Fruits very showy.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Can be used like any honeysuckle – as a climber or a groundcover on banks.
Lovely over an arbor, particularly because of its sweet scent. Excellent choice for hummingbird
gardens. Children like to suck the sweet nectar too!
Native Californians used the shoots in
basketry. Fruits make acceptable jellies, sauces.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native Honeysuckles like Japanese Honeysuckle.
Attracts: Excellent bird habitat: provides cover, nectar for hummingbirds and fruits that birds love.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to part-shade; fine in hot gardens.
Quite adaptable to local soil textures and pH.
Quite drought tolerant (Zone 1 or 1-2); looks better with occasional summer water
(Zone 2).
None needed, but would not harm it.
Organic mulch
Prune in fall/winter to control if desired. Be sure to leave 2-3 nodes (don’t cut back
into hardwood). Train young plants to shape/train as desired. Needs support to grow up.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: soak before planting; 2 mo. cold for stored seeds
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): Sierra Seed Supply
* CA native plant but not native to Western L.A. county
by cuttings: easy
2/17/11
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