- Tatarian honeysuckle can grow 8 to 12 feet tall with a spread as wide. The shrub is capable of growing 4 to 12 inches per year before it reaches maturity. Tatarian honeysuckle "greens up" earlier in the spring than most plants, which gives it a jump start ahead of them.
- This plant prefers full sun and well draining soil. This is a drought-tolerant shrub that is also very wind-tolerant, making it a good choice for windbreaks in open, dry areas if it isn't considered invasive. This is a winter-hardy plant that can tolerate very cold temperatures. It thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 though 8.
- According to the USDA, Tatarian honeysuckle can be found in most of the United States. This plant was introduced from Russia and Asia in the mid-1800s. Currently, it is banned or prohibited in Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, while Vermont classifies it as a Class B Noxious Weed. Its invasive potential is not limited to these states; Ohio, Wisconsin and other states also consider it an invasive species. Check with your state's Department of Natural Resources, Forestry Department, Fish and Game Department or county extension office before purchasing and planting this shrub. Tatarian honeysuckle crowds out native plants and produces lots of seed that is spread after birds eat the berries.
- Native plants are often the best choice for landscaping; they have evolved with the weather and the wildlife in the area and provide valuable habitat and food for wildlife and insects. The Pennsylvania Flora Project at the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania recommends winterberry holly, red or black chokeberry, spicebush and wild hydrangea, among others, in the place of Tatarian honeysuckle. Check with your local county extension office to determine the best native, fast-growing shrubs for use as hedges in your area.
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