Lonicera maackii - Amur or bush honeysuckle

In full foliage the Amur honeysuckle brings to mind rather more exotic genera. The gracefully curving branches bear leaves in opposite pairs, with white flowers produced in pairs where the leaves join the stems. They appear in June, and by autumn develop into bright red, slightly poisonous berries.

This species hasn’t been much used in Finland, but plants from suitable provenances should be hardy to central parts of the country. At Mustila the old bushes growing on Pähkinärinne (Hazelnut Slope) are deeply shaded by other plants and aren’t at their best. In the right place, this is one of the best of the honeysuckles.