Lonicera etrusca is a species of honeysuckle known by the common name Etruscan honeysuckle. It is native to Europe and it is known elsewhere as an introduced species where it has escaped cultivation. It is kept in gardens as an ornamental plant.
Lonicera etrusca is a deciduous perennial climber which can reach lengths of 6 meters. It is lined with oval leaves several centimeters long and bears dense spikes of flowers with pairs of fused leaves at the bases. Each flower has an elongated tubular corolla up to 5 centimeters long divided partway into two lips. The flower is light yellow to pale reddish-pink. The stamens and style protrude from the flower's mouth. The fruit is a bright red rounded berry. The berries are poisonous. It can be invasive in North America.
Newly-planted honeysuckle requires consistent watering, keeping the soil evenly moist until the plant starts growing vigorously on its own. Once established, water only during summer droughts of two weeks or more, giving the plant at least 1 inch of water a week. Place 2 inches of organic mulch around the base of the plant to reduce water evaporation from the soil.
If planted in fertile soil, honeysuckle does not need much, if any, fertilizer and will grow vigorously on its own. You can encourage blooming with a spring application of a low-nitrogen fertilizer, such as 2-10-10, 0-10-10 or 15-25-10.
