American Fly Honeysuckle: A Hidden Gem for Shade Gardens
If you’re looking for a native shrub that thrives in shady spots and supports local wildlife, American fly honeysuckle (Lonicera canadensis) might just be your new best friend. This unassuming perennial shrub brings quiet charm to woodland gardens while playing an important ecological role in its native habitat.
What Is American Fly Honeysuckle?
American fly honeysuckle is a multi-stemmed woody shrub that typically grows 3-6 feet tall and wide. Unlike its aggressive non-native cousins, this native honeysuckle is a well-behaved garden citizen that won’t take over your landscape. The shrub produces small, tubular yellowish-green flowers in late spring, followed by bright red berries that add a pop of color to the summer garden.
Where Does It Grow Naturally?
This native beauty calls much of northeastern North America home, naturally occurring from southeastern Canada down through the eastern United States. You’ll find it growing wild in states including Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and extending south into the mountains of North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia. It also thrives in several Midwestern states like Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ohio.
Important Conservation Note
Before you rush out to plant American fly honeysuckle, here’s something crucial to know: this native species is considered endangered in New Jersey and has a rarity status that gardeners should respect. If you choose to grow this plant, make sure you source it from reputable native plant nurseries that propagate their stock rather than wild-collecting. Never dig plants from wild populations.
Why Grow American Fly Honeysuckle?
There are several compelling reasons to consider this native shrub for your garden:
- Shade tolerance: Thrives in partial to full shade where many shrubs struggle
- Low maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care
- Wildlife support: Flowers attract native pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
- Bird food: Red berries provide nutrition for songbirds
- Native credentials: Supports local ecosystems and adapted to regional conditions
Perfect Garden Settings
American fly honeysuckle shines in several garden situations:
- Woodland and shade gardens as an understory plant
- Native plant collections and restoration projects
- Naturalized areas where a wild, informal look is desired
- Mixed shrub borders in partially shaded locations
- Rain gardens and areas with seasonal moisture variations
Growing Conditions and Care
This adaptable shrub is surprisingly easy to grow once you understand its preferences:
Light: Partial to full shade (though it can tolerate some morning sun)
Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soils but adapts to various soil types. It has a Facultative Upland wetland status, meaning it usually grows in non-wetland areas but can tolerate occasional wet conditions.
Hardiness: Cold-hardy in USDA zones 3-7, making it suitable for most northern and mountainous regions
Water: Moderate moisture needs; benefits from consistent water during establishment but becomes more drought-tolerant with age
Planting and Care Tips
Getting your American fly honeysuckle off to a good start is straightforward:
- Plant in spring or early fall when temperatures are moderate
- Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide
- Apply 2-3 inches of organic mulch around the base, keeping it away from the stem
- Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots
- Minimal pruning needed – just remove dead or damaged branches in late winter
- No fertilizer required in most garden soils
Supporting Pollinators and Wildlife
One of the best reasons to grow American fly honeysuckle is its wildlife value. The small flowers may not be showy to us, but they’re magnets for native pollinators. Bees appreciate the nectar, butterflies stop by for a drink, and you might even spot a hummingbird investigating the tubular blooms. Later in the season, the bright red berries provide food for various songbirds, helping support your local ecosystem.
The Bottom Line
American fly honeysuckle deserves a place in more shade gardens. It’s a low-maintenance native that supports wildlife, tolerates challenging growing conditions, and adds subtle beauty to woodland settings. Just remember to source your plants responsibly from propagated stock, especially given its rarity in some areas. Your local native plant society or extension office can help you find reputable suppliers who grow rather than wild-collect their plants.
By choosing this native honeysuckle over non-native alternatives, you’re making a choice that benefits both your garden and the broader ecosystem. Sometimes the most rewarding plants are the quiet ones that do their job without fanfare – and American fly honeysuckle fits that description perfectly.
