Comments on: Red Berries You Don’t Want!

By: Alison Kerr

Alison Kerr — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:53:47 +0000

Argh, I was just out driving past a local stream-way and park and guess what I saw? It’s just full of this amur honeysuckle. I know what you mean Hal, I’d have thought it very attractive if I’d not written this article and learned about it. The berries look so pretty. Now I want it gone.

By: hal sears

hal sears — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:51:24 +0000

Alison–Great blog! Thanks for all the work you are doing. I found another clump in a protected area today in east Lawrence by Mt. Calvary cemetary, and I gotta say, it was beautiful. Leafage was still green and it was laden with those great red colored berries. No wonder people leave it alone, ’cause it’s so beautiful this time of year. The berries are now shiny red and dead ripe with a sweet taste at first which becomes bitter. I did not eat them but only tasted them and spit out, not knowing if they might be toxic. I have seen no birds eating them so far. But I gotta say, walking around under the HUGE bushes at Haskell, there was no understory. Just bare ground now being covered by the Amur’s falling leaves. Maybe a winter cover crop under there would be worth experimenting with?
Anyway, thanks again, and I look forward to anything else you might care to write (and research) on the topic. Hal

By: Carole

Carole — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:58:27 +0000

Thanks for the nod, Alison. You’ve done a great job telling how dangerous this plant can be, but you’ve also suggested native alternatives that will do a better job in the ecosystem. That is very important. PS I know you’ll love being involved with the native plant society. I’m sure you’ll find many passionate, knowledgeable friends.