Day 186: pheasant berry

Daily details from the garden to bring you inspiration throughout the year

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Some plants are real bruisers, but I wouldn’t be without them. Himalayan honeysuckle, or pheasant berry (Leycesteria formosa) is one – it grows tall, arching stems with alarming speed but fortunately doesn’t creep, although it does seed about a bit. And in early summer, inverted pagodas of white flowers surrounded by deep maroon bracts dangle from the branches in abundance. So easy to grow and, in spite of its huge vigour, not too hard to contain. The only argument I have with it is that, in a few weeks time, it will begin to drop dark purple-staining berries down the neck of my shirt as I wander beneath it along the path.


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Hello! I’m Andrew, gardener, writer, photographer, and owner of a too-loud laugh, and I’m so pleased you’ve found your way to Gardens, weeds & words. You can read a more in-depth profile of me on the About page, or by clicking this image.