Lonicera Tatarica Hack's Red Honeysuckle

Lonicera Tatarica Hack's Red, commonly called Tartarian Honeysuckle or Hack's Red honeysuckle, is a hardy deciduous shrub valued for its showy fragrant flowers and ornamental berries. In late spring to early summer, it produces a profusion of deep pink blooms with a light fragrance, which are followed by clusters of glossy red berries that add interest well into autumn. Its upright, bushy habit and dense growth habit make it a useful choice for hedging, borders and naturalistic plantings.

This flowering honeysuckle is not a climber but a free-standing shrub, with a rounded framework of stems clothed in ovate green leaves. Lonicera Tatarica Hack's Red typically flowers in May and June, when the shrub is covered with tubular blossoms that attract bees and other pollinators. These are succeeded by bright red berries, a favourite with birds. Compared with English climbing honeysuckle types, Tartarian honeysuckle provides stronger structure and a more formal outline, making Hack's Red honeysuckle a distinctive alternative. It copes well with poorer soils and exposed positions, reflecting its origins in eastern Europe and Siberia.

Height and Width of Lonicera Tatarica Hack's Red:

Ultimate height 2.5–3 m; spread 2–2.5 m. Growth rate is fast once established.

How hardy is Lonicera Tatarica Hack's Red?

The Tartarian Honeysuckle is very hardy across the UK, tolerating cold winters and wind exposure. Fully deciduous, shedding its leaves in autumn and leafing out again in spring.

Uses in Garden and/or Landscape

• Good choice for informal hedging and screening, thanks to its dense, bushy habit.
• Works well as a specimen shrub in mixed borders, particularly for spring and early summer colour.
• Perfect for wildlife gardens, offering nectar for pollinators and berries for birds.
• Suited to larger gardens and naturalised areas where it can grow freely.

Care Tips

• Position: Full sun to partial shade; flowers best with good light.
• Soil: Adaptable, growing well in average soils including chalk and clay, provided drainage is reasonable.
• Watering: Water regularly during the first year; drought tolerant once established.
• Feeding: A balanced fertiliser in spring promotes strong growth and abundant flowers.
• Pruning: Lightly prune after flowering to maintain shape and remove older wood. More severe rejuvenation pruning can be carried out in late winter if needed.

Distinctive features: Abundant deep pink flowers, ornamental berries, strong shrub form, excellent wildlife value.
Origins: Native to Siberia and eastern Europe; cultivated widely for its ornamental qualities.