About
A vigorous, deciduous to semi-evergreen, woody-stemmed, twining climber to 4m tall with oval, greyish-green, downy leaves. Tubular, perfumed flowers open pale yellow but darken with age and are followed in autumn by shiny red berries.
About the genus
Lonicera can be deciduous and evergreen shrubs, or climbers with twining stems. The tubular or two-lipped flowers, often very fragrant, are followed by red or black berries
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous, Semi evergreen
Height2.5-4 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Mediterranean climate plants, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden
FragranceFlower
ToxicityFruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Care notes
CultivationGrow this climbing honeysuckle in full sun, and thrives in any fertile, moist but well-drained soil. See Honeysuckle (Climbing) cultivation
PruningPruning group 11 after flowering
PropagationPropagate by layering, softwood cuttings, semi-ripe cuttings, leaf-bud cuttings and hardwood cuttings
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to honeysuckle aphids, thrips and glasshouse whitefly
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, leaf spot (fungal) and silver leaf