Utah Honeysuckle

Lonicera utahensis

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Caprifoliaceae
Genus:
Lonicera
Species:
Lonicera utahensis

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Shrub
Height:
6-8 ft
Light Requirements:
Shade
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jun, jul
Bloom Colors:
Yellow
Landscaping Shrub:
Yes

Native Range

United States: Arizona, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, Canada: Alberta, British Columbia

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★☆☆ Based on number of butterfly and moth species using this genus as host plant (Source: National Wildlife Federation)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Bees: Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Fuzzy-horned bumble bee (Bombus mixtus), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Half-black bumble bee (Bombus vagans), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), Hunt's bumble bee (Bombus huntii), van Dyke bumble bee (Bombus vandykei), van Dyke bumble bee (Bombus vandykei), Western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), Western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
good drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Prefers forested areas with organic matter

Germination Information

Pre-treatment: For seeds: Treated with 1,000 ppm gibberellic acid for 24 hours, followed by a 48 hour running water rinse. Placed into a 60 to 90 day cold, moist stratification at 3 C. For cuttings: Re-cut and terminal buds removed. Given a 2 minute Domain fungicide bath. Treated with 2000 ppm liquid IBA rooting hormone. Cut into 15 centimeters length with an average caliper of 7mm.

Establishment: Cuttings collected at leafbud break in early spring had the highest rooting percentage. Fully dormant hardwood cuttings may yield higher rates of rooting. Seeds germinated at 3C after 60 days of stratification. Do not sow seeds until there is visible cracking or radicle emergence.

Source: npn.rngr.net