Bearberry Honeysuckle
Lonicera involucrata var. ledebourii
Care
full sun, part shade
low
Fast; Prefers moist, sandy soil.
2–16ft tall , 3–4ft wide
Jun-Aug
Deciduous
Friendly
Prized
Berries eaten fresh, traditional Indigenous food
Riparian areas and moist woodlands of the Sierra Nevada and northern California mountains from Modoc County to Tulare County, 3000-7000 ft elevation
Care Guide
Planting
Plant your Bearberry Honeysuckle in full sun or part shade in well-draining, sandy soil - it prefers moist conditions but won't tolerate soggy roots. The best time to plant is in fall or early spring so the roots can establish before summer heat. This coastal California native (var. ledebourii with red-orange flowers) is cold-hardy and low-maintenance, making it forgiving for Bay Area gardens across a range of elevations.
After Planting
Water weekly for the first summer after planting, then reduce to once a week or less once established - this plant is drought-tolerant and actually prefers drier conditions once its roots are in. Expect it to go dormant and lose its leaves in winter, which is completely normal. The #1 mistake is overwatering: this shrub thrives on less attention than you might think, so resist the urge to keep the soil constantly wet.
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Endangered & Threatened Species Supported
Listed under ESA; California populations endangered; multiple subspecies with varying conservation status
Wildlife Supported
Insects
Larval host plant, critical for caterpillar development
Spring-early summer nectar resource for California populations
Larval host plant for California populations
Early season nectar and pollen for colony establishment
Spring nectar forage for wild and managed colonies
Summer adult nectar source Jun-Aug
Birds
Important late-season fruit resource Sep-Nov
Fall migration fuel source Sep-Oct during southbound migration
Spring breeding season nectar resource
Fall-winter berry resource in California
Early spring nectar source for breeding season preparation
Fall-winter food source, especially in montane California
Late season fruit resource for year-round California residents