When looking through the new High County Gardens catalog, I noticed a new honeysuckle cultivar that is native to the Central US and could have some promise for hummingbirds called Lonicera reticulata Kintzley's Ghost. Here's the link:

http://www.highcountrygardens.com/index/page/product/product_id/4541/category_id/947/product_name/Lonicera+reticulata+Kintzley%27s+Ghost%26reg%3B

Here is another link to the history behind this very unusual plant:

http://www.westerngardeners.com/the-ghost-of-kintzley-haunts-western-gardens.html

I would be curious to see if it really would attract hummingbirds or not. It does seem like a very low care perennial, grows in any soil type, and may bloom a bit later than Lonicera sempervirens and could be more mildew resistant.

Has anyone tried this plant? What are your thoughts?



Kathi and Michael Rock
Madison, Wisconsin
Zone 4/5

It doesn't broach my biggest problem with Honeysucke, aphids. Could this be the one we have been waiting for? I like the eucalyptus look of the leaves. The blooms look very small but is hard to tell from the pic. I remember another Honeysuckle that was all yellow, and not the Japanese...I think it was more shrub like. Hmmm

Thanks for the info

Pam
Matawan,NJ 7a

Thanks for sharing this, Kathi & Michael!
I like the look of that Honeysuckle, the leaves look like Nasturtium leaves.
The growing conditions look ideal for my locale.
I tried to buy one but no shipping options were offered so I don't think it is in stock.

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John
NJ
USDA zone 7a

My guess is that it won't be a great hummer plant since L. reticulata isn't noted as a hummer plant. Nonetheless, when I first saw pictures of it I thought it looks very attractive and may want to try it, anyway.

Donald

Zone 4 Red Wing MN

For anyone looking to try and buy this new honeysuckle, it is available from our favorite Ebayer for $4.65 plus shipping. Here is the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/LONICERA-KINTZLEYS-GHOST-PLANT-/370607832910?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5649f2bf4e

Penny
NY
USDA hardiness zone 6a
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

I was mystified when High Country Gardens indicated this new honeysuckle as a hummingbird plant as the flowers just didn't look that significant. However, it is very attractive and unusual, so might be worth a try, which is why I posted this message.




Kathi and Michael Rock
Madison, Wisconsin
Zone 4/5

Penny, thanx for posting that link, you rule!!!

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John
NJ
USDA zone 7a

You're welcome John. All of us who have ordered plants with that particular Ebayer have been very pleased with what we got. If you order more than one item, he only charges 80 cents s/h for each additional item.

Penny
NY
USDA hardiness zone 6a
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39