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Woody > Leycesteria > Leycesteria formosa > Leycesteria formosa

Leycesteria formosa


Himalayan Honeysuckle, Flowering Nutmeg or Pheasant Berry




Origin:  The Himalaya's and southwestern China
Family
Caprifoliaceae
Genus
Leycesteria
Species
formosa
Category
Woody
Type
Shrub (deciduous)
Pronunciation
USDA Hardiness Zone
7-10
Canadian Hardiness Zone
6b - 9a
RHS Hardiness Zone
H6 - H3
Temperature (°C)
(-20) - 1
Temperature (°F)
4 - 34
Height
2-2.4 m
Spread
1-1.2 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
July
Landscape
Blackbirds eat the seeds from this plant.
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.
Growth
Medium
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.
Notable Specimens
Trebah Gardens, Mawnan Smith, Nr Falmouth, Cornwall.
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.
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