Amur honeysuckle | The Morton Arboretum

Amur honeysuckle is an exotic weed in Illinois. The Illinois Exotic Weed Act prohibits the sale or distribution of this plant in Illinois. This shrub spreads by seeds, often dispersed by the animals that consume them. Amur honeysuckle leafs out earlier than other plants and forms dense vegetative thickets that restrict other plants’ access to the sunlight, nutrients, and space that they need for growth. After this point, the foliage can remain much denser than other plants around it, preventing the habitat from developing a healthy understory. It was introduced from eastern Asia as an ornamental, and today it is found in the Midwest, Northeast, and Southern regions of the United States.

Amur honeysuckle is also an invasive plant. An invasive plant is a plant species that is non-native to the location being considered and whose presence and spread negatively impacts (or is likely to impact) ecological and economic health. Data collected at The Morton Arboretum show that this plant is invasive on the Arboretum grounds.

As an alternative, rough-leaved dogwood (Cornus drummondii) is a good option as it is native to the central United States, and has a similar growth habit and appearance to Amur honeysuckle. There are a number of native and non-native species that could be used in place of Amur honeysuckle. More desirable species may be found using the online Search Trees and Plants page of the Arboretum website. Before purchasing or planting, be sure to check for any local or state guidelines on these species, and ensure that the plant is suitable for its habitat by checking its attributes at mortonarb.org or plants.usda.gov.

More Information

Size and Method of Spreading

This shrub can grow to be 10 to 20 feet in both height and width. The branches and foliage have a broad habit.

Bark Color and Texture

Amur honeysuckle has light-gray to brown bark. The bark exfoliates, developing deeper ridges and breaking into long strips as the shrub matures.

Leaf Description

The simple, opposite leaves are light to dark green in color. The small leaves (about 1 to 3 inches in length and width) have an oval (ovate) shape and long, tapered tip (acuminate). The edges of the leaf are smooth (entire leaf margins), and hairs can be found on the leaf surface.

Flower Description

Amur honeysuckle’s fragrant flowers are about 1 inch in size. They range in color from white to pale yellow as the flower matures. The flowers appear close to the nodes, in the leaf axils, in groups of two to four, though most commonly are seen in pairs. The shape is tubular, with an upper and lower set of fused petals (bilabiate flowers). Flowering occurs from late spring into early summer.

Fruit Description

The shrub develops pairs of round berries at the nodes of the branch. Each berry is about 1/4 inch in size, and light to dark red. Inside are light brown seeds.