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Hairy Honeysuckle

Lonicera hirsuta

Last reviewed: August 2026

Hairy Honeysuckle (Lonicera hirsuta)
Photo: Rob Routledge, Sault College, Bugwood.org / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)

Toxicity unknown

Hairy Honeysuckle (Lonicera hirsuta) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

part sun

Water

medium

Size

72"–120" H × 36"–72" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul

Native to

MA, MI, MN, NY and 3 more states

Pollinators

hummingbirds, bees, butterflies

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Northern ForestsNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsSoutheastern Wisconsin Till Plains

Hairy honeysuckle is a native climbing vine that produces tubular orange-red flowers in summer. This deciduous vine can reach 6-10 feet tall and provides good coverage for trellises, fences, or arbors. Unlike invasive honeysuckle species, this native variety supports local wildlife while maintaining a manageable growth habit.

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In an HOA neighborhood

Hairy Honeysuckle is an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement. Maintenance level: moderate. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.

Works well in: foundation, mid zone.

  • Requires support structure like trellis or fence
  • Can look sparse when leafless in winter
  • May need annual pruning to control spread

Wildlife value

The tubular flowers are particularly attractive to hummingbirds and also support bees and butterflies. The vine provides nesting sites and cover for small birds.

Common questions

How much sun does Hairy Honeysuckle need?
Hairy Honeysuckle grows best in part sun conditions.
When does Hairy Honeysuckle bloom?
Hairy Honeysuckle blooms in June and July.
Where is Hairy Honeysuckle native?
Hairy Honeysuckle (Lonicera hirsuta) is native to MA, MI, MN, NY and 3 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What pollinators does Hairy Honeysuckle attract?
Hairy Honeysuckle draws hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies.
Is Hairy Honeysuckle HOA-friendly?
Hairy Honeysuckle is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with moderate maintenance.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

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