Leycesteria formosa Golden Lanterns

Leycesteria formosa are native the Himalayan region and were originally introduced into the Uk around 1880. In addition to Himalayan Honeysuckle they are also known as Flowering Nutmeg, Pheasant Berry. Golden Lanterns is a superb cultivar and a winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit. A lovely medium size, deciduous shrub, ideal for a dull corner but just as at home in full sun. Bright yellow young foliage matures to a golden yellow, often with a red tinged margin. This is one of the few large shrubs to flower into autumn when drooping terminal racemes of yellow purple bracts appear, followed by white tubular flowers. If that were not enough, the flowers are replaced by big glossy purple berries that are very attractive to Pheasants and other birds! Easy to grow in partial shade to full sun, where it will not loose it's leaf colour, in most free draining soil. This plant is also drought tolerant nd good in seaside locations. Can be used in a mixed planting or as a stand alone specimen in the garden or can easily be grown in a pot or container. When growing in a pot or other container. Use a good quality John Innes compost as this plant will be there a long time and peaty types of compost eventually degrade and become too packed and choke the roots. Ensure you feed regularly as a hungry plant is a poor performer. We recommend Osmoscote pro 8-9 month applied in the early spring. One application gives all the nutrients the plant requires for the whole year. John Innes is a soils based compost.