Flowers, finally, but …

This is a neglected shrub or bush we planted years ago at the back of our back yard to block our view of the phone and cable box. This is the first time I have seen flowers on it … but I'm suspicious this is Lonicera japonica, Japanese honeysuckle, which the USDA reports as "banned" or "prohibited" in three states (Connecticut, Massachusetts and New Hampshire) and a "Class B noxious weed" in a fourth (Vermont). I've left photos for my plant guru to ID and I'm wondering if I should rip it out (if it's not already too late) in consideration of our neighbors … and ourselves!

Correct genus, but not species: this is “Lonicera maackii.” But this too is banned in Connecticut, prohibited in Massachusetts and considered a Class B noxious weed in Vermont.

Species page at PhytoImages, http://phytoimages.siu.edu/cgi-bin/dol/dol_terminal.pl?taxon_name=Lonicera_maackii&rank=binomial

1 year ago (“Powell Hall, St. Louis”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2015-05-03
2 years ago (“Fuchsia”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2014-05-03
3 years ago (“Bleeding heart *vine*”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2013-05-03
4 years ago (“The culprit”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2012-05-03
5 years ago (“When the rain stops and the sun shines?”): http://365project.org/rhoing/365/2011-05-03

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