Purple Leaf Japanese Honeysuckle | Fragrant Wine Red Vine

Purple Leaf Japanese Honeysuckle

5 Gallon

$69.00

Purple Leaf Japanese Honeysuckle

Lonicera japonica 'Purpurea'

A vigorous, fragrant vine with attractive purple-tinged foliage and classic sweet honeysuckle flowers.

$69.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Purple-Leaf Japanese Honeysuckle is a vigorous, semi-evergreen vine prized for its attractive, purple-tinged foliage and exceptionally fragrant, bicolor flowers. This popular cultivar of the classic Japanese honeysuckle is grown primarily for its ornamental leaves, which emerge with a striking bronze-purple hue and retain a purple-red tint on the undersides and young growth throughout the season . From late spring through summer, it produces an abundance of small, tubular, two-lipped flowers that open white with a purple blush and age to a creamy yellow, all while emitting a powerful, sweet, classic honeysuckle fragrance . A fast-growing, twining vine, it is excellent for covering large areas as a ground cover, scrambling over banks, or climbing on structures like fences, trellises, and arbors.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Foliage & Flowers: Oval, opposite leaves; new growth and young leaves emerge bronze-purple; mature leaves are green with persistent purple-red undersides and veins ; fragrant, tubular, two-lipped flowers in whorls; flowers open white with a purple blush and fade to creamy yellow; blooms late spring through summer .
Mature Height: 10-15 ft (as a climber)
Mature Spread: 10-15 ft (as a ground cover)
Growth Rate: Very fast (vigorous grower)
Hardiness Zones: USDA 6-11 ; Sunset 1-24, H1, H2
Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade (best foliage color in sun)
Core Benefits: Attractive purple-tinged foliage, powerfully fragrant flowers, very fast-growing, adaptable, attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
Best Uses: Ground cover on slopes, climbing fences and trellises, covering unsightly structures, arbors, pergolas, erosion control, wildlife gardens.

Q: Is 'Purpurea' Japanese honeysuckle invasive?
A: Yes, it is considered potentially invasive . It shares the same vigorous, spreading nature as the species Lonicera japonica, which is listed as an invasive weed in many states . It spreads by runners and by seed (dispersed by birds) and can quickly smother native plants. Plant with extreme caution, contain it if possible (e.g., in a large pot), or consider a non-invasive native alternative.

Q: How fast does it grow?
A: It is a very fast-growing vine, especially in its first few years. It can easily grow 10-15 feet or more in a single season . This rapid growth makes it excellent for quickly covering a structure or stabilizing a slope, but also contributes to its potential invasiveness.

Q: How much sun does it need for the best foliage color?
A: For the most intense purple coloration on the new growth and leaf undersides, plant 'Purpurea' in full sun. In partial shade, the foliage will be greener, with less pronounced purple tones .

Q: How much water does it need?
A: Once established, it is quite drought-tolerant . Water regularly during its first year to establish a deep root system. After that, it requires little to no supplemental water, even in hot, dry climates.

Q: How do I control its spread?
A: Controlling a vigorous plant like this requires vigilance. 1) Plant it in a location where it can be contained, such as a large pot or a bed with a solid root barrier. 2) Prune it back hard every year in late winter or early spring. 3) Throughout the growing season, cut back any runners that are spreading into unwanted areas. 4) Never allow it to climb into a tree or natural area.

Q: Are there any native, non-invasive alternatives?
A: Yes! For a fragrant, flowering native vine, consider Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens). It has beautiful red, trumpet-shaped flowers, is well-behaved, and is also a magnet for hummingbirds. For a ground cover, consider California Honeysuckle (Lonicera hispidula) or other native shrubs and vines appropriate for your region.