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Leycesteria...Purple Rain (Himalayan Honeysuckle)

fluff

By Fluff


Leycesteria...Purple Rain  (Himalayan Honeysuckle) (Leycesteria Formosa)

I was given a small cutting 10 years ago by my then father-in-law after I'd admired these bunches of little lanterns, which turn into bunches of purple grapes, in his garden. Not only has it grown on into a huge shrub but another has popped up nearby. It loves the heavy clay & grows fast. Also known as 'false nutmeg'.



Comments on this photo

 

Unusual isn't it?

19 Jul, 2009

 

I'll post a photo of the berries in the autumn...they're lovely! :0)

19 Jul, 2009

 

Its beautiful.......

19 Jul, 2009

 

Thanks Milky...I wonder if the berries are poisonous? Colourful ones often are...

19 Jul, 2009

 

i've not seen it before.

19 Jul, 2009

 

that's interesting! While browsing I just found your pic and the names - a while ago I posted a pic of the same one - at least I believe so - on the Qs page and people said "pheasantberry". Whatever it is it's not short of names!

19 Jul, 2009

 

I think I've heard that name before too Weeding...how many more can it have?!

20 Jul, 2009

 

My granny always called this the 'Turkey Snot tree', descriptive but not very pleasant ( althought we thought it was hilarious)

20 Jul, 2009

 

har har, best one yet Vincent! I'll believe anything now. Perhaps we'll make some new ones up too. I'd vote for red-dangly-bit plant.

20 Jul, 2009

 

Oh Vincent that's soooooo descriptive! Bit gross but I love it! :0)

21 Jul, 2009

 

I've never seen this before. Glad you added the photo.

26 Jul, 2009

 

Another common name for it is Elisha's tears, and the berries were used to make jams and preserves. The ripe berries taste similar to caramel.

2 Aug, 2009

 

The berries are luscious purple/red ones...didn't know they could be eaten & used for jam Flcrazy...thanks for that. I could call it turkey snot jam...no, maybe not!!

3 Aug, 2009

 

LOL...., good luck getting anyone to sample it with a name like that....lol

3 Aug, 2009

 

I think you would really need a niche market for that jam, Fluff. It certainly has it's share of names. Note for anyone growing this: It seeds like crazy, given the chance, so whether you make jam from the berries or otherwise - remove them before they fall, or you will have lots of plants to give away.

4 Aug, 2009

 

Yes I've already been caught out by that Vincent! Everyone I know has been offered a plantlet! The birds love them too.

4 Aug, 2009

 

Ditto for Dierama pulcherrima(Angel's Fishing rods), I have millions of seedlings if my one plant is allowed.

10 Aug, 2009

 

Thanks Fluff, I have given lots of shoots off this plant and never knew the name. It grows very well in Cheshire where we lived before and spreads really well. Here the soil is sandy but the shoots I brought with me are quite big now and I have been able to 'pass it on' here too. I prefer you name for it than 'turkey snot'. Don't fancy the jam either.

7 Sep, 2009

 

Hey hey no....not very appetising! You'll probably see little plants of it pooping up...or even popping up(!)...all over the place so plenty to share!!

7 Sep, 2009

 

Hello all,nice to meet you,They are edible. Some people call them treacle berries,sweet at first then a mild bitter taste. pick them and eat them as they are impossible to store as they are soft and burst easily. They are also called the king of the berries by some.

13 Mar, 2017



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