Leycesteria Formosa Purple Rain Honeysuckle

Leycesteria Formosa Purple Rain Himalayan Honeysuckle 
Leycesteria is a small genus of hollow-stemmed flowering shrubs native to China and the Himalayas. Leycesteria Formosa is a mid-sized erect flowering shrub also commonly known as Flowering Nutmeg and Pheasant Berry. The cultivar Leycesteria Formosa Purple Rain (or Himalayan Honeysuckle Purple Rain) is a new introduction which produces profuse flowers and eye-catching large clusters of showy purple bracts. 

Leycesteria Formosa Purple Rain is a showy deciduous flowering shrub producing an abundance of large pendulous flower bracts that appear in shades of deep burgundy. The leaves are long and mid-green. They have an outside margin of purple which makes the foliage exceptionally lovely. During the summer months, the leaf veins also start to turn purple heightening the effect. The flowering phase starts in June and often continues into August. As the flowers open they turn white and have a pendulous habit. Following flowering, large plump purple berries develop. As the berries mature they turn a dark black which provides visual interest in the autumn. Songbirds flock to this shrub to enjoy the robust berries. During the winter months, after the leaves fall away, the arching greyish blue branches provide wintertime interest. 

Height and Spread of the Leycesteria Formosa Purple Rain
Himalayan Honeysuckle Purple Rain grows to a height and width of 2 metres. This is an upright shrub. Its branches have an arching, graceful growth habit. 

How Hardy is Leycesteria Formosa Purple Rain
This tough little shrub is hardy to UK zones H5, meaning it can withstand temperatures down to -15 degrees. 

How to Use the Leycesteria Formosa Purple Rain
This shrub is an excellent choice for a woodland garden. It is an ideal wildlife tree and sure to attract a wide variety of songbirds to the garden. 

How to Care for the Leycesteria Formosa Purple Rain
The Himalayan Honeysuckle Purple Rain prefers well-draining soil that is extremely fertile. Plant it in full sun or partial shade for optimum growth.  In the spring, prune any old flower shoots to the ground to encourage new growth and bloom production. The size can also be controlled with spring pruning. 

Leycesteria Formosa Purple Rain is a lovely flowering shrub that makes an ideal accent to any woodland garden. Plant it in a location where you can truly enjoy its flowers and the many wildlife creatures that will visit it.