Species twinberry
black round berries with red, hairy sepals, and green leaves

twinberry

Lonicera involucrata

Also Known As - bearberry honeysuckle
Twinberry (Lonicera involucrata) is a hardy shrub found in North America. It is a native plant that is found growing in wet areas, on moist hillsides, in riparian areas, and along streams and lake edges. Its leaves are oblong to ovate and are dark green in color. In the spring, small clusters of pink and yellow flowers bloom and develop into attractive bright red or orange-red berries. These fruit are edible and have a sweet, sour taste. Twinberry is a fast growing species and can be used as a natural barrier for wildlife.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 10

Flowers:

Yellow Flowers

Sun:

Full sun Partial sun Shade

Soil:

Sandy Loamy Clay Humus Rocky

Fruits:

yellow,orange Fruits In Summer Ready In Fall

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Twinberry (Lonicera involucrata) is a fast-growing, low-maintenance, evergreen shrub. It grows best in moist, well-drained soil and in an area that gets full sun or partial shade. Water twinberry regularly, especially during periods of drought, as it likes moist soil. During the summer, water deeply once per week or more if there has been no rain. Depending on the soil, it may need watering up to every 4 days during the hot summer months. In the winter, water only when the soil is dry to a depth of 2 inches. When twinberry is first planted, water it daily for the first 2 weeks and then adjust the watering schedule as needed. During periods of heat or drought, water it more often and in the colder months water less often. A layer of mulch will help keep the soil moist and reduce the need for frequent watering. Twinberry is a tolerant and resilient plant, making it an ideal choice for home gardens.

sunlight

Twinberry plants require full or partial sun to thrive and grow. The optimal amount of sunlight for this plant species is 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. During the summer months it is beneficial to receive more sunlight, as this ensures maximum photosynthesis. However, during the winter months the amount of direct sunlight should be reduced due to the shorter day lengths, as this will reduce the risk of the plant becoming stressed. When choosing a spot in the garden or even an indoor location for your twinberry, keep in mind that the plant prefers places that are shielded from strong winds and are well-drained.

pruning

Twinberry (Lonicera involucrata) can be pruned any time of year to keep it looking its best. The best time for severe pruning is in late winter or early spring to encourage new growth. Otherwise, light reshaping can be done any time within reason in the growing season. Some gardeners prune to maintain a specific size or shape, while others prune to encourage flowering. In either case, avoid pruning too much at once, as this can shock the plant and cause damage. If you are removing more than 1 third of the shrub's total growth, spread the pruning out over 2 or more years.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Twinberry typically starts flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Lonicera involucrata (twinberry) typically begins in July and continues through August.

Hardiness Map