BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle
Lonicera korolkowii 'Floribunda'
BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle (Lonicera korolkowii 'Floribunda') is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 8–12 ft tall and 8–10 ft wide, fast-growing, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Pink flowers in late spring; red berries; blue-green velvety foliage; deer-resistant.
Plant Select®low to medium water8–12 ft tall and 8–10 ft wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
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At a glance
- Botanical name
- Lonicera korolkowii 'Floribunda'
- Variety / cultivar
- BLUE VELVET®
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 8–12 ft tall and 8–10 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~10 ft apart (7 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Hedge use
- Informal hedge or screen
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–9
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Pollinator value
- high
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control
Things to know before you plant
- Messy dropIt drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
Planting & establishment
Drought-tolerant once rooted; benefits from mulch first 2 seasons.
- Pruning: light.
- Fruit: ornamental.
Frequently asked questions
- Is BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle?
- The main things to know: It drops messy fruit, pods, or litter, so keep it off patios, walks, and pool decks.
- How big does BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle get?
- It matures to about 8–12 ft tall and 8–10 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle?
- Space BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle about 10 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 7 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle hardy on the Front Range?
- BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle is hardy in USDA 3–9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- How fast does BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle grow?
- BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle is a fast-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- Is BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle deer-resistant?
- BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle a good hedge plant?
- Yes, as an informal hedge. BLUE VELVET® honeysuckle works best as a relaxed hedge or screen kept to its natural form rather than sheared into a tight box.
