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Honeysuckle, Purple
Lonicera japonica 'Purpurea'
Purple Honeysuckle is a vigorous twining vine grown primarily for its distinctive purple-tinged foliage rather than just its flowers. Like other forms of Japanese honeysuckle, it is not native to Texas but adapts well to our climate and is hardy in Zones 4–9, performing reliably throughout Central Texas. The young growth emerges deep purple to bronze, especially in cooler weather, adding a rich contrast in the landscape. Because it shares the same strong growth habit as other Japanese honeysuckles, it should be planted thoughtfully and maintained with routine pruning.
In the Texas landscape, Purple Honeysuckle is most often used to quickly cover fences, arbors, and trellises. It can reach 15–20 feet long with support and spread 5–8 feet wide. For fence lines, spacing 4–6 feet apart will provide dense coverage. It performs best in full sun to part shade; more sun intensifies the purple coloration, while partial afternoon shade can help foliage quality during peak Central Texas heat. It tolerates alkaline soils well and adapts to a wide range of soil types, provided drainage is reasonable. It does not prefer constantly wet soils.
Fragrant tubular blooms appear white and mature to creamy yellow from spring into early summer, sometimes with light reblooming. Flowers attract hummingbirds and pollinators. Small black berries may follow and are considered mildly toxic if ingested in quantity, though birds readily consume them. Deer may browse tender new growth but it is generally moderately deer tolerant once established. Pruning after flowering helps control its aggressive habit and keeps growth fresh and dense.
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Purple foliage |
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Fragrant vine |
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Fast coverage |
Flower Color:Purple-Red and White
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Height:15-20 Feet
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Spread:5-8 Feet
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Spacing:4-6 ft
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USDA Hardiness Zone 4b
Available Sizes:
| Item |
Description |
| HON-PUR-01 |
#001 HONEYSUCKLE, PURPLE LEAF |
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Characteristics & Attributes
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Deer Tolerance
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Exposure
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Full Sun to Full Shade |
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Full Sun |
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Habit
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Evergreen |
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Semi Evergreen |
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Soil pH Preference
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Water Needs
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Tolerates Poor Drainage
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