Black Twinberry – Lonicera involucrata

Native Wildlife Shrub | Hummingbird and Butterfly Garden Plant

Bring native wildlife appeal to your landscape with Black Twinberry (Lonicera involucrata), a deciduous shrub native to western North America, parts of Canada, and the Great Lakes region.

This distinctive shrub produces paired, tubular yellow flowers followed by shiny black berries. Each pair of berries is surrounded by reddish or purplish bracts that look like a tiny red nest, giving the plant its memorable appearance.

Black Twinberry is especially suited to wildlife gardens, woodland landscapes, wet areas, and naturalized streamside plantings.

Plant Details

• Botanical name: Lonicera involucrata

• Common name: Black Twinberry

• Plant type: Native deciduous shrub

• USDA hardiness zones: 4–10

• Typical mature height: 6–12 feet

• Light: Partial shade to full shade

• Natural habitat: Wetlands, bogs, streambanks, and forest openings

• Native range: Alaska through western North America to Mexico, extending east into the Rocky Mountain states, parts of Canada, and the Great Lakes region

Current Plant and Container

• Supplied as a potted plant

• 5½-inch-deep pot

• Pruned to fit into an 18-inch shipping box

The plant is pruned for shipping, so its shipped appearance may differ from an unpruned mature shrub.

Flowers, Berries, and Wildlife

Black Twinberry offers seasonal interest and wildlife value.

Flowers: Paired yellow tubular flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies.

Berries: Shiny black berries develop in pairs, surrounded by distinctive reddish or purplish bracts.

Wildlife: The berries are eaten by bears, small mammals, and game birds.

Important berry safety note: Black Twinberry berries are generally unpleasantly bitter and may be mildly toxic when eaten raw. They are intended as wildlife food, not for human consumption.

Growing Conditions and Garden Uses

Black Twinberry naturally grows in moist environments and is a good choice for suitable woodland and wetland-style landscapes.

• Prefers partial to full shade.

• Naturally occurs in wet soils and moist woodland settings.

• Suitable for wildlife gardens and native plant landscapes.

• Useful for hedgerows and naturalized plantings.

• Can help with erosion control along streambanks and in wet areas.

Its typical mature height of 6–12 feet makes it a substantial shrub for larger garden spaces.

Shipping Information

• Free shipping is available to most locations.

• Additional freight charges may apply to Alaska, Hawaii, APO addresses, U.S. territories, and remote locations.

• We ship to all states, subject to applicable freight surcharges.

• If temperatures are above 89°F or below 20°F, orders will be held until conditions improve.

• Please enter your preferred shipping date in the Special Instructions to Seller at checkout.

Every plant is inspected for quality before shipment. If your plant arrives damaged, contact us promptly and photograph both the package and plant to help us resolve the issue.

Planting and Growing Support

Your plant comes with detailed planting, growing, and care instructions. You can also call or email us if you have additional questions.

Scenic Hill Farm is a licensed Oregon nursery.

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