Leycesteria formosa

A handsome relative to our native honeysuckle originating in Western China and Eastern Tibet, Leycesteria formosa has trailing white and claret flowers in mid to late summer. These lovely flowers are followed by dark purplish-black fruit in autumn, popular with wildlife and pheasants in particular.

An unusual and lovely garden shrub, excellent as part of a low maintenance border or for planting in a woodland garden. Leycesteria formosa can be pruned hard if required for growing in a garden with limited space.

• Position: Full sun or shade.
• Soil: Well drained, fertile soil. Leycesteria formosa dislikes very wet soils with frequent standing water.
• Hardiness: Reasonably hardy. Leycesteria formosa can suffer from some die-back after severe cold weather.
• Flowering Period: June - September.
• Flower Colour: Claret red and white
• Rate of Growth: Moderate.
• Habit: Leycesteria formosa grows to be a medium sized, branching shrub with arching stems if left unpruned.
  • Height: 1.5m (5 ft) to 2.5 m (8 ft).
  • Spread: 2 m (6 ft).

• Pruning: Leycesteria formosa can be pruned hard in early spring to reduce the end size and encourage strong new growth.