Lonicera elisae

An extremely rare and lovely shrub, Lonicera elisae has a compact, upright habit and masses of delicate pale white, tubular flowers which appear on the branches in late winter. The new leaves are dark purple in colour turning to green as they age later in the year.

A medium sized garden shrub with beautiful flowers, Lonicera elisae grows best in a sunny, sheltered position. Lonicera elisae is named after Elisa Bailly de Vilmorin, wife of Louis de Vilmorin, as in Sorbus vilmorinii.

• Position: Sheltered Full sun or light, dappled shade.
• Soil: Any fertile soil.
• Hardiness: Hardy. Lonicera elisae appreciates shelter from strong, cold winter winds.
• Flowering Period: January - March
• Rate of Growth: Moderate.
• Habit: Lonicera elisae grows to be a medium sized, upright shrub.
  • Height: up to 2.5 m (8 ft) / [up to 2 m (6 ft) after 10 years]
  • Spread: 2 m (6 ft) / [up to 1.5 m (5 ft) after 10 years]

Further Information

This rare honeysuckle was first described as a herbarium specimen collected by Adrien Franchet in China in the 19th century and only introduced to cultivation in the west by Roy Lancaster from Western Hubei in 1983.