FAMILY: CaprifoliaceaeLonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle)

General Information

Japanese Honeysuckle is a twining, vigorous, deciduous vine that is considered an invasive plant in Connecticut due to escaping cultivation since its introduction in the mid-19th Century. It grows more than 30 feet in length in many locations and can kill shrubs and small trees by girdling -- cutting off the water and nutrient supplies -- or blocking out sunlight.

Plant Habit and Form

Japanese Honeysuckle is a climbing, twining vine and can also trail along the ground growing about 2 feet high. It has opposite leaves that are ovate and between 1 1/4 and 3 1/4 inches long. Dark green in summer, the leaves turn bronze or purple in autumn. It has evergreen tendencies in zones warmer than 6.

Growing Requirements

Adaptable to most soil conditions, Japanese Honeysuckle thrives in a wide variety of locations including fields, forests, wetlands, and on fencerows along roads and highways. It can tolerate both drought and wet soils. It is hardy in zones 4 to 10.

Flowering and Fruiting

Tubular flowers are borne in pairs generally in mid-June. They start out white and mature to yellow within a couple days. They are quite fragrant. Small blue-black berries about 1/4 inch long follow the blooms.

Pests and Diseases

Japanese Honeysuckle is rarely bothered by pests and diseases.

ID Tips

Twining, climbing vine or rampant ground cover. Fragrant two-lipped white flowers aging to yellow. Evergreen, semievergreen tendencies in warmer climates.

FAMILY: Celastraceae Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush)

General Information

Burning Bush is listed as an invasive species in Connecticut, although there are certain cultivars that have not been studied to determine if they are as invasive as the species form. It is native to Asia and was introduced to North America and Europe as an ornamental. It can slowly mature to 15 to 20 feet tall by 15 to 20 feet wide. This deciduous shrub has been over utilized in the landscape due to its showy, bright red display of color in fall.

Plant Habit and Form

Burning Bush is a tough shrub with a rounded, flat -topped form. It has opposite leaves that are 1 to 3 inches long with fine marginal serrations. Dark green in summer, the leaves turn a brilliant purplish red to scarlet in autumn. The branches have long, corky wings along the stems. The trunk is brown and slightly fissured.

Growing Requirements

Burning Bush prefers sites with moist, slightly acidic, well-drained soils in full sun. But it is adaptable to other conditions such as clay soils, shade, high heat, drought, and pollution. It can dominate understories in small ravines, shady valley slopes, north-facing hillsides, and tolerate elevated levels of methane in landfill sites. It is hardy in zones 4 to 8.

Flowering and Fruiting

Pale yellow-green, tiny inflorescences appear in late May and early June. They are usually inconspicuous, hidden in dense expanding foliage. The fruit, 1/2 inch long capsules, follow the blooms and contain 4 seeds within each capsule. They ripen in September but are concealed in the fall foliage.

Pests and Diseases

Euonymus scale can pose a problem for Burning Bush.

ID Tips

Opposite, elliptical, finely serrated leaves that are dark green in summer and scarlet in fall. Small, creamy, greenish yellow flowers in spring. Mounding, spreading, flat-topped habit.

FAMILY: Berberidaceae Berberis (Barberry)

General Information

Two species of Barberry are on the Connecticut Noxious Weeds List and are invasives: Berberis thunbergii (Japanese Barberry) and Berberis vulgaris (Common Barberry). Both are deciduous shrubs that bear small yellow flowers followed by bright red berries. Japanese Barberry is native to Asia and was introduced to North America as an ornamental in the mid-19th Century. It grows 2 to 8 feet tall. Common Barberry is native to central and southern Europe and can grow up to 13 feet tall. Japanese Barberry poses a greater threat and will be used for the remainder of this discussion.

Plant Habit and Form

Japanese Barberry is a dense shrub with brownish red, grooved stems with single spines located at each node. The bluish green to green leaves are small, oval shaped about 1/2 to 1 1/2 inches long and turn bright reddish purple in fall. It has a mounding, dense habit.

Growing Requirements

Japanese Barberry grows in open fields, shaded woodlands and wetlands. It is shade tolerant and can form dense strands which displace native species. They are able to tolerate drought for short periods once established.

Flowering and Fruiting

Flowering occurs from mid-April to May. Pale yellow, pendulous 1/4-inch flowers hang in clusters along the stems. They are followed by bright red berries that persist into winter. These fruits are eaten and dispersed by birds, rapidly spreading them throughout the region in a variety of habitats.

Pests and Diseases

Pests and diseases are not typically a problem for Japanese Barberry.

ID Tips

Small, pale yellow, oval flowers hanging like teardrops from reddish brown stems in spring followed by bright red berries. Single thorns located at nodes. Mounding, deciduous shrub. Bright reddish purple fall color.