Bush Honeysuckle

• Bush Honeysuckle “leafs out” early in the spring and remains late into fall, giving it a competitive advantage over native plants
• It forms a thick under-story that limits sunlight to native plants; choking out their growth
• It competes with other plants for soil moisture and nutrients
• It competes with native plants for pollinators, resulting in fewer seeds set on native species
• The red berries of honeysuckle are like “junk food” for migrating birds; does not provide the high-fat content they need for their long flights of migration

• Aggressive self-seeding in the area surrounding the plant
• Seeds are also spread by birds and small mammals, the seeds can germinate in the shade of a forest canopy

• Dense shrubs from 3 to 15 feet tall
• The leaves are directly opposite each other on the stem (not staggered)
• 1-inch long fragrant paired tubular flowers with narrow petal; white flowers that later become yellowish
• Red or orange berries near the base of the leaves in the fall
• Stems are hollow, light tan color with arching shape and vertical lines on bark
• First to leaf out in the spring and last to lose their green color in the fall

Hand pulling small plants
Bush honeysuckle has a shallow root system, so seedlings and small plants can often be removed easily by hand pulling, especially when soil is moist. However, looks can be deceiving. Plants that have been previously mowed and re-sprouted can appear small, but have large root systems.

The cut-stump or stem method
The most effective and efficient method of removing larger bush honeysuckle plants is to cut the stem as close to the ground as possible and immediately apply an appropriate herbicide after cutting.

Dig out roots
Honeysuckle bushes can be removed by digging with shovels, pick axes, and other tools, but this is very labor intensive and causes extensive soil disturbance. Digging is a suitable approach for someone who wants to remove bush honeysuckle from their garden and replace it by planting non-invasive alternatives.