Amur Honeysuckle is a noxious woody weed, not introduced into southern Ohio until the late 1950's, but now rampant across the state and throughout much of the Eastern United States. A native of northeastern Asia, this vigorous, invasive shrub has displaced many native shrubs with its aggressive growth and ability to abundantly reseed itself in neighboring areas via bird consumption and subsequent dispersal.
With a rapid growth rate, tolerance of sun or shade, and ability to withstand heat, drought, and severe winter cold, one could incorrectly assume that this is a well-adapted native shrub. Amur Honesuckle has an arching growth habit, reaching 15 feet tall and 15 feet wide in about ten to fifteen years of growth. As a member of the Honeysuckle Family, it is related to the Elderberries, Viburnums, Wiegelas, and all other Honeysuckles.
Planting Requirements - Amur Honeysuckle will adapt to any type of soil of any pH, in dry or moist conditions. It tolerates wet soils for brief periods of time, such as at the edge of streams and creekbanks that occasionally overflow. It can be found in full sun where it frequents fencerows and neglected areas, or full shade as an understory shrub. It is quite tolerate of all types of pollution, and thrives on neglect, tolerating severe summer droughts and cold winter temperatures with minimal dieback. It readily grows in zones 3 to 8.
Potential Problems - Amur Honeysuckle has no significant disease or pest problems. However, it will take over an area within a few years of initial seeding, by a combination of its rapid growth rate, arching growth habit, and ability to prolifically reseed itself nearby. The only positive in terms of control is that its root system is shallow during the first several years of its life, so plants can literally be pulled up or dug out with relative ease, if caught early enough.