Pink Honeysuckle Hairy Honeysuckle

Lonicera hispidula (Caprifoliaceae) is a deciduous to semi-evergreen vine or procumbent shrub native to western North America from Vancouver Island south through California. It produces slender, hairy branches with opposite leaves (to 6 cm). Pink, hairy, strongly two-lipped flowers are followed by red spherical to ovoid fruit (about 8 mm).

Pink honeysuckle grows in sun to full shade on dry to moist, acidic soils and is drought tolerant once established. It blooms on old wood, so pruning should follow flowering. Documented problems include powdery mildew, root rot, yellow vein virus, and aphids. The species is useful for wildlife gardens and naturalistic plantings where a modest-sized native vine or groundcover is desired. Hardy in Zones 5a to 8b.