No yard would be complete without a Himalayan honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa). This shrub is so gorgeous, it is difficult to even put it into words. It has so much going for it: hummingbirds love it;bees love it; I love it!; it is elegant, stately, lush, interesting, edible...okay and deciduous. But that isn't a bad thing because the canes of soft green and rich mauve lend some late season interest to the garden as well. You need to find a spot to put one today! It needs a decent amount of height 8-12 feet tall and at least 6-8' in width, but in my garden I prune up the lower branches so it arches up and above the underplanting of pulmonaria, ferns, heuchera, japanese forest grass, hellebores, rehmanian (chinese foxglove) and of course, a "Cimi" [sim-eee] (Cimicifuga simplex 'Black Negligee': who knew plants could be sexy!) There is a new variety called 'Golden Lanterns' that has bright yellow/chartreuse foliage. It is hard to pin one's "favorite" plant, especially when you are an addict such as myself. But Leycesteria [lice-hysteria!] is in my 'top 10' for sure!
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