Description
Lonicera tatarica (Tatarian Honeysuckle) Seeds
Zone: 3 to 8.
Native to Siberia and other parts of eastern Asia.
The Tatarian honeysuckle is a very popular ornamental shrub and has become widespread in North America after being introduced as an ornamental plant in the 18th century. Birds eat the berries and are responsible for much of the spread of Tartarian Honeysuckle since the seeds within the fruit pass through the bird without damage.
It is a dense and vigorous shrub that is often planted for hedges. It has abundant fragrant pink flowers in spring that are popular with hummingbirds and bees. It bears small orange-red fruit in summer that is popular with birds and other wildlife. Foliage consists of ovate to ovate-lanceolate leaves that are 2 1/2 inches (6 cm) long.
The Tatarian honeysuckle is an excellent shrub for use as a hedge or screen or a background plant in a bird garden. It does well in full sun or part shade and prefers rich, moist, organic loamy soil, but can be easily grown in average, well-drained soils. Requires little maintenance, except for pruning dead branches and twigs to keep its form attractive.
Size: Height 9 to 12 ft; Width 9 to 12 ft.
Germination Instructions
Soak seeds for 24 hours and drain.
Stratification: Seed requires 90 days cold moist stratification at 3° C (37° F) to 5° C (41° F).
- Soak seeds in water for 24 hours.
- Place seeds in sandwich bag(s), optionally with a bit of damp sand or vermiculite to keep moist.
- Place the bag(s) with seeds in refrigerator for about 90 days.
- After the required time take the seeds out of the refrigerator and sow the seeds in pots 1/8 inch deep and cover lightly. Water gently so as not to wash away the seeds. Keep soil moist but not wet.
