Is this Honeysuckle the invasive Lonicera Japonica?

Hi,

I took a cutting from a honeysuckle in a cottage I visited a few years ago. I didn't think anything of it but now I've been reading the Lornica Japonica is very invasive and I'm worried that this is the one I have and that if I plant it in my garden against a fence that it will take over?

I dont have a photo of any flowers yet but I have a photo of the leaves and the stems and hopefully you might be able to tell me if I have the invasive type?

Thanks
Craigh

 

Hello, welcome to GC. All anyone can say for sure is that it's Lonicera I don't think that japonica is any more 'invasive' than the other climbing varieties. A better word would be vigorous. Whatever it is, it will need a support to grow on (or through....) but it can be pruned to keep it within bounds.

 

I believe it is considered invasive in parts of the US and NZ, am sure we’ve had that discussion/confusion on the old GW forum. It’s certainly not invasive here in the Uk

 

I'd agree with the above that Lonicera isn't invasive here. You could restrict it's root growth by planting it and using a root barrier or paving around it. Some varieties are more vigorous than others but correctly pruned shouldn't prove a problem.

 

It certainly is invasive round here. We didn't have any until a few years ago and it's running rampant through everyone's gardens, front and back. It's a real nuisance as it's rooted in lots of place at the base of our hedges which are difficult to access.

 

Very mixed reviews. I dont worry about the size it will grow to because I have a huge garden and 6 foot fence with wires it can grow around but I worry more about it rooting elsewhere in the garden.

It concerns me because my mum had bamboo growing all over her garden which spread from her neighbours garden and it was absolutely awful and difficult to irradicate.

Has anyone else found that it's starts to grow elsewhere in their garden? Is that by underground runners or by seeding?

 

Lonicera propagates itself by layering. Long shoots lying on the ground will root all along their length. The simple answer is to keep the first 30cm or so of woody stem clear of new shoots. If any appear from below ground they're easily rubbed out when young. Then just tie in the top growth so it climbs rather than touches the ground.
Very occasionally the birds sow one of the black berries but again, easily pulled out when young.