Lonicera tatarica Rosea - Tatarian Honeysuckle

Lonicera tatarica 'Rosea' or Tartarian Honeysuckle is a variety of bush honeysuckle valued for its abundant pink spring flowers. It is a medium-sized bush with an upright and dense habit, featuring deciduous foliage that is beautifully rounded, glabrous, and a very fresh bluish green. From May to June, it bears bright clusters of small upright flowers, finely elongated and slightly fragrant, which appear all along the branches, covering the bush with a range of pink hues. They are followed by bright red to orange-yellow berries, shiny and greatly appreciated by birds. Be careful, as the berries are toxic to humans! It is a little-known species but, due to its great hardiness, robustness, and tolerance, it deserves a place in all rustic and romantic gardens. An easy and low-maintenance shrub that adapts to all soils and exposures.

Native to the Caucasus region in southern Russia, as well as Central Asia, the Tartarian Honeysuckle belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family, and is naturalized in Europe and North America.  The variety 'Rosea' forms a robust deciduous shrub 3 m (9 ft 10 in) tall and spreading up to 2 m, with a medium to fast growth rate. It has an upright and bushy vegetation, with a dense habit. From May to June, small simple flowers, ranging from deep pink to pale pink, appear along the shoots in the axils of the leaves. This beautiful flowering is followed by small bright red to orange-yellow fruits in summer, which stand out against the simple, ovate-lanceolate,  glabrous foliage which is a fairly dark bluish-green colour. It has a beautiful grey bark that flakes off with age.

Plant Lonicera tatarica Rosea 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. Birds are fond of its berries and find refuge in its branches. You can create a beautiful spring scene by associating this plant with buddleias in various colors, Weigelas, Chaenomeles x superba, Deutzias, Enkianthus campanulatus, Exochorda racemosa, Forsythia, or Kolkwitzias. Pruning is not necessary, except to remove dead wood or correct a slightly sparse habit. In that case, prune after flowering, as it will not harm the plant's health. The bush is sometimes prone to aphid attacks.