PlantFiles: Japanese Honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica 'Hall's Prolific'

I became fascinated in Japanese Honeysuckle after seeing it strangle a Norwegian maple in a nearby national Forest in my area. I couldn't believe that a vine with a tropical appearance and aggressive growth would survive where I live...needless to say I took a few cuttings.

After reading more about the species I picked up this cultivar, and let me tell you - kudzu has nothing on this bad boy. It doesn't touch the native plants where I live, and strangles the invasive Norwegian maples with extreme prejudice. The best part is, you get 3-5 times as many blooms as with 'Halliana', and they last longer. This cultivar is evergreen where I live, which let's it out compete other invasive perennials, which are really the problem in my area.

Giant Hogweed, Norwegian maples, purple loosestrife...almost any other invasive plant over a foot high, and under 6" around gets destroyed. I leave the garlic mustard to the Hedera hibernica...

While the thought of an "invasive" maple sounds silly, how hard do you think it is to grow any other plant, when steering-wheel sized leaves are blocking 100% of the light?

This is the best plant that I own - because of it, I'll be able to have enough sun for a vegetable garden this summer.

In my opinion Japanese Honeysuckle is second only to Kudzu in its rapid invasive nature. It literally covers everything. When you see it -- pull it out or treat it with a herbacide.

This plant is extremey invasive. Some states have banned its importation and culture. As nice as it smells, it doesn't belong here.

This plant will spread and overpower anything, making up for it with amazingly scented blooms. It's a monster and we love it.