Swamp Fly Honeysuckle: A Hidden Gem for Wetland Gardens
If you’re looking for a native shrub that thrives in those soggy spots where other plants fear to tread, meet swamp fly honeysuckle (Lonicera oblongifolia). This unassuming wetland warrior might not win any beauty contests, but it’s exactly what your rain garden or boggy backyard corner has been waiting for.
What is Swamp Fly Honeysuckle?
Swamp fly honeysuckle is a perennial, multi-stemmed woody shrub that typically grows 4 to 5 meters (13 to 16 feet) tall, though it can reach greater heights under ideal conditions. As a true North American native, this hardy shrub has been quietly doing its job in wetlands across the continent for centuries.
Where Does It Call Home?
This moisture-loving shrub is native to both Canada and the lower 48 states, with an impressive range that includes Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Wisconsin. Basically, if you live in the northern tier of states or anywhere in eastern Canada, this plant is one of your local natives.
Why Your Garden (and Local Wildlife) Will Love It
Here’s where swamp fly honeysuckle really shines. This shrub produces small, tubular yellowish-white flowers in late spring and early summer that may look modest to us, but they’re absolute magnets for butterflies, moths, and other pollinators. Come fall, those flowers transform into bright red berries that birds absolutely adore.
The real superpower of swamp fly honeysuckle lies in its wetland credentials. Across all regions where it grows, this plant has Obligate Wetland status, meaning it almost always occurs in wetlands. Translation? It’s perfectly adapted to handle soggy, waterlogged conditions that would kill most other shrubs.
Perfect Spots for Planting
Swamp fly honeysuckle is ideal for:
- Rain gardens and bioswales
- Wetland restoration projects
- Naturalized woodland edges
- Wildlife habitat gardens
- Areas with seasonal flooding
- Native plant gardens with wet conditions
Growing Conditions and Care
The beauty of this native shrub is its low-maintenance nature once established. Here’s what it needs to thrive:
Hardiness: USDA zones 3-7, making it suitable for most northern climates
Soil: Moist to wet soils are essential. It prefers acidic to neutral pH but is quite adaptable
Light: Partial shade to full sun, though it’s quite tolerant of varying light conditions
Water: Consistent moisture is key – this isn’t a plant for dry gardens
Planting and Care Tips
Getting swamp fly honeysuckle established is refreshingly straightforward:
- Plant in spring after the last frost or early fall
- Choose the wettest spot in your garden
- Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide
- Backfill with native soil – no need for amendments
- Water thoroughly and maintain consistent moisture
- Apply organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Be patient – like most natives, it may take a season or two to fully establish
The Bottom Line
Swamp fly honeysuckle might not be the showiest shrub in your garden, but it’s definitely one of the hardest working. If you have wet, challenging areas where other plants struggle, or if you’re passionate about supporting native wildlife, this humble honeysuckle deserves a spot in your landscape. Your local pollinators and birds will thank you, and you’ll have the satisfaction of growing a true regional native that’s perfectly adapted to its environment.
Sometimes the best plants are the ones that simply know how to do their job without making a fuss – and swamp fly honeysuckle does exactly that.
