Canadian Fly Honeysuckle
Canadian Fly Honeysuckle (Lonicera canadensis)
A beautiful woodland shrub for cool, shady spaces.
Description
Canada Fly Honeysuckle is one of Ontario’s quiet forest treasures — a delicate, early-blooming native shrub that brings life to the understory long before most plants wake up. This species forms a small, graceful mound 0.5–1.5 m tall, with soft, opposite leaves that brighten shaded woodlands with a fresh spring green.
April to early May, it produces pairs of pale yellow tubular flowers tucked beneath the leaves — subtle, elegant, and incredibly important for early pollinators. These blooms quickly develop into twin blue berries held in a leafy cup, a favourite food of thrushes, waxwings, and grouse.
This is a shade-loving, moisture-loving species perfect for naturalized woodland gardens, shaded borders, or restoration plantings in cool, rich forests. Canada Fly Honeysuckle thrives in the very conditions many gardeners find hardest to plant: cool shade, acidic or neutral soils, and moist, humus-rich environments.
Ecological Benefits
Early nectar source for awakening pollinators
Important berry-producing shrub for migrating and resident birds
Supports woodland biodiversity and natural forest structure
Ideal for cool microclimates, mature trees, and northern-style gardens
Growing Conditions
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Soil: Moist, well-drained, rich in organic matter
pH: Prefers acidic to neutral
Moisture: Consistent moisture; intolerant of drought
Hardiness: Extremely hardy (Zones 2–6)
Landscape Uses
Woodland and shade gardens
Natural forest restoration
Understory plantings beneath conifers or hardwoods
Cottage properties and northern landscapes
Wildlife-focused gardens
Size
Mature height: 0.5–1.5 m
Spread: 1–1.5 m
Notes for Success
Canada Fly Honeysuckle prefers cool feet and consistent moisture — mulch with leaf litter, plant in shade, and avoid hot, exposed areas. Once established, it blends beautifully with ferns, dogwoods, witch-hazel, foamflower, and other forest companions.