Tatarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera Tatarica) 25 seeds (#113)

Supremely cold hardy and delicately beautiful in bloom, this very large upright deciduous shrub is perfectly carefree. It is native to a large range from southern Russia to central China, proving a remarkable adaptability to most soils and climates. This species also claims a good number of cultivars offering varying flower colors and sizes. A multi-stemmed, twiggy habit produces a densely branched shrub. The leaves are large and blue-green and drop in autumn without a show of fall color.
Small white, pink or rose-red blossoms borne profusely appear in late spring, resembling in shape those of the traditional honeysuckle vine. The flowers are produced in large quantities at the top side of the leaf axils and so look as though they are superimposed upon the leaves. The flowers are followed by red berries that ripen in summer and stand out sharply against the green leaves. However attractive, the fruits are also a nuisance, self-sowing so readily that this honeysuckle is invasive in the right conditions, such as prevail in the northeastern U.S. Birds eat the berries and may spread the seeds. Use this shrub as a backgrounder, hedge, or a screen for privacy or to block unwelcome views. Add it to a wildlife garden to lure butterflies, hummingbirds and songbirds.
Prefers a good moist soil in a sunny position, fruiting less well when grown in the shade.

Genus - Lonicera
Species - Tatarica
Common name - Tatarian Honeysuckle
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 3 - 9
Height - 10'-12' / 3 - 3.70 m
Spread - 6'-8' / 1.80 - 2.40 m
Plant type - Shrub
Vegetation type - Deciduous
Exposure - Full Sun, Partial Sun
Growth rate - Medium
Soil PH - Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil type - Clay, laom, Sand, well drained
Water requirements - Average Water
Landscape uses - Feature Plant, Hedges, Screening / Wind Break
Bloom season - Spring
Leaf / Flower color - Green, Blue Green / Pink

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
1. Soak seeds for 24 hours in warm water. Place seeds in paper towels that have been a little bit wet and wrung out. Fold towel up, put in a baggie, and store in the refrigerator for the cold period (60 days).Check the paper towel once a week to make sure it is moist.
2. Fill small seeding pots or a seeding tray with commercial potting soil. This type of soil is guaranteed to be disease and seed free. Leave about a half inch clear at the top of the containers.
3. Push a stratified seed into each seeding pot or tray cell, just below the surface of the soil. Push soil over the seed hole.
4. Spray water over each pot to moisten the soil. Place the pots onto a tray. Cover the pots with a sheet of plastic wrap.
5. Place the seed pot tray in front of a sunny window. Remove the plastic wrap and spray the seeded soil every day. Do not overwater them, creating mud.
6. Remove the plastic wrap when germination begins in two to six weeks. Continue to keep the soil moist.