Leycesteria formosa

The Himalayan Honeysuckle, also known as the Pheasant Berry or Chocolate Berry, is a deciduous shrub native to the Himalayas. An interesting plant, the upright canes are hollow and waxy with large, spade shaped leaves that give the shrub a lofty appearance. Growing up to 6 feet tall, the Himalayan Honeysuckle responds well to pruning and can be kept much smaller.

Beginning in late spring and persisting until the first frost are pendulous bunches of maroon flowers that hang down from the branches that give an exotic and tropical look. In early summer, flowers will begin to produce heavy crops of berries that are famed to taste like chocolate, or coffee to some, that give this plant its nickname ‘Chocolate Berry’. We find that they remind us more of some sweet coffee drink, but the flavor is very unique.

Cold hardy to USDA zone 7a, or to 0 degrees Fahrenheit.