Leycesteria formosa (Himalayan Honeysuckle, Flowering Nutmeg or Pheasant Berry)
Botanical Information
Family | Caprifoliaceae |
Genus | Leycesteria |
Species | formosa |
Category | Woody |
Type | Shrub (deciduous) |
Origin | The Himalaya's and southwestern China. |
Pronunciation |
Details
USDA Hardiness Zone | 7-10 |
USDA Hardiness Ref. | |
Canadian Hardiness Zone | 6b - 9a |
Canada Hardiness Ref. | |
RHS Hardiness Zone | H6 - H3 |
RHS Hardiness Ref. | |
Temperature (°C) | (-20) - 1 |
Temperature (°F) | 4 - 34 |
Height | 2-2.4 m |
Spread | 1-1.2 m |
Growth | Medium |
Flowering Period | July |
Description and Growing Information
Landscape | Blackbirds eat the seeds from this plant. |
Propagation | Sow fresh seed immediately in a cold frame and it will germinate in the spring. Stored seed needs a minimum of three months cold stratification at 5°C and may take up to a year to germinate. |
Cultivation | The plant grows in all soil types. It can grow in semi-shade or no shade. It requires moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution. |
Notable Specimens | Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. |
Habitat | Scrub and forest edge to 3000 m. |
Leaf Description | The dark green leaves are opposite, ovate and tapered, 6-18 cm long and 4-9 cm broad, with an entire or wavy margin. |
Flower Description | The flowers are produced on 5-10 cm long deep red pendulous racemes. Each flower is small, white, delicately scented, and subtended by a purple bract. |
Fruit Description | The fruit is a soft purple-black berry 1 cm diameter, eaten by birds which disperse the seeds. |
Photographs
![](photos/Leycestaria formosa st (frm).jpg)
![](photos/Leycesteria-fromosa-flw.jpg)
![Leycesteria formosa, form. Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. 15/10/2019. Leycesteria formosa, form. Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. 15/10/2019.](photos/Leycesteria-fromosa-frm.jpg)
Leycesteria formosa, form. Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. 15/10/2019.
![Leycesteria formosa, leaf. Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. 15/10/2019. Leycesteria formosa, leaf. Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. 15/10/2019.](photos/Leycesteria-fromosa-lf.jpg)
Leycesteria formosa, leaf. Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. 15/10/2019.
![Leycesteria formosa, flower. Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. 15/10/2019. Leycesteria formosa, flower. Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. 15/10/2019.](photos/Leycesteria-fromosa-flw2.jpg)
Leycesteria formosa, flower. Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall. 15/10/2019.
Leycesteria formosa Golden Lanterns 'Notbruce', RHS Garden Rosemoor, North Devon, England.