Tartarian honeysuckle is a non-native, invasive shrub introduced to the U.S. in the 1700s as an ornamental species. It is a multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub that can grow to 10 feet in height. Leaves are opposite, oval, and smooth or sometimes downy. Leaf drop is slightly later in the fall than native species, so fall is a good time to identify this invasive. Flowers are paired, tubular, and pink to red, blooming in late spring and early summer. Tartarian honeysuckle produces red or orange berries and contain several seeds. The bark of Tartarian Honeysuckle can also be a distinctive trait that may help in identification, as it is light in color and has a rough, shaggy or peeling texture. Tartarian Honeysuckle has a Restricted status under the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law. Many other honeysuckles may look similar, such as Bell’, Morrow’ or Amur, which are also under Restricted status. See the Minnesota Department of Transportation guide to compare species.
Control methods for Tartarian Honeysuckle:
- Cutting to just above ground level followed by stump treatment with herbicide
- Hand-pulling seedlings
- Cutting to just above ground level followed by stump grinding or covering the stump with a black plastic bag and securing for a full year.
To see current distribution and report a siting, refer to EDDMapS.