What does it look like?
Himalayan honeysuckle is a shrub that grows up to 2 m tall (unlike Japanese honeysuckle, it is not a vine). It has straight, hollow green stems that become woody with age, and bears heart-shaped leaves. From December to May, drooping spikes of white and reddish-purple flowers appear at the tips of the branches, followed by juicy, dark brownish-purple or red berries.
This species is commonly found in coastal and lowland habitats, favouring damp environments such as stream edges and riverbeds. It also occurs in native and plantation forests and shrublands, where it readily colonises clearings and canopy gaps.
Why is it a problem?
Himalayan honeysuckle grows rapidly to produce dense thickets that replace and exclude other species. It’s a good coloniser of disturbed areas and will replace native species that are trying to establish. It prefers sunny sites but can tolerate shade, frost, physical damage, damp, and most soils. However, it’s not long-lived. After flowering, Himalayan honeysuckle produces numerous berries that contain high numbers of seeds.
Control methods
Physical control
Dig out small clumps (year-round, but ideally in early spring before seed is set). Leave plants on site to dry and rot down.
Herbicide control
- Cut and stump paint 1g/L metsulfuron or 100mL/L glyphosate, or or triclopyr 600 EC (100ml/L). Or,
- Spray with 5g/10L metsulfuron (600g/kg) or triclopyr 600 EC (3ml/L) or triclopyr 120g/L (15ml/L). or,
- Gun and hose 20g/100L metsulfuron or 1L/100L glyphosate.
- Stumps resprout, so frequent follow up is required to ensure eradication. Remove pigs and other stock to minimise erosion and the development of light wells. Replant sites where native species are slow to recover to prevent reseeding.
- CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide, PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.
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