Lonicera tatarica Arnold Red - Tatarian Honeysuckle

Lonicera tatarica 'Arnold Red', or Tatarian honeysuckle, is an upright and bushy shrub with spectacular reddish-purple spring flowers followed by scarlet fruit in summer. This shrub will adapt to all types of soil and exposures.

Native to the Caucasus region in southern Russia, as well as Central Asia, Tatarian honeysuckle belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family. It forms a very hardy bush that can reach 2 to 3 m (6 ft 7 in to 9 ft 10 in) in height and spread up to 2.50 m (8 ft 2 in), with a medium to fast growth rate.

Lonicera tatarica 'Arnold Red' is a deciduous shrub with upright and bushy vegetation and a spreading habit. From June to August, small single flowers appear along the shoots in the axils of the leaves, ranging from white to pink to reddish-purple. This spectacular flowering is followed by small red to orange-yellow fruits in summer, which stand out against the fairly dark green-glaucous foliage. It has a beautiful grey bark that peels with age.

Plant Lonicera tatarica Arnold Red in any type of soil, from dry to moist, even limestone, . This shrub will thrive in partial shade or full sun, but the flowering will be more abundant in full sun. Pruning is not necessary, except for removing dead wood or correcting a slightly sparse habit. If necessary, prune after flowering, as it will not harm the plant's health. The shrub is sometimes susceptible to aphid attacks.

The Tatarian honeysuckle will find its place in all gardens, in an informal hedge, shrub bed, or even as a solitary specimen. Birds are fond of its berries and find refuge in its branches. You can associate it in a spring scene with buddleias in various colours, Weigela, Chaenomeles x superba, Deutzia, Enkianthus campanulatus, Exochorda racemosa, Forsythia, or Kolkwitzia.
 

Lonicera tatarica has naturalized in Europe and North America.