About
It is an evergreen climber capable of reaching 10m or more, with flowers and leaves both up to 15cm long. The largest honeysuckle. The leaves are dark green and glossy. The highly perfumed, tubular flowers appear in pairs in the leaf axils all summer, opening pale cream and maturing to pale orange. Red berries up to 3cm long follow.
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 typeLoam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub, Conservatory Greenhouse
HabitClimbing
FoliageEvergreen
Height8-12 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens
Native toSE Asia, China
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
CultivationMay survive against a warm wall in very mild areas, otherwise grow in a cool greenhouse or conservatory in peat-free, loam-based compost with bright, filtered light
PruningPruning group 11
PropagationPropagate by layering, or take semi-ripe cuttings in summer
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to honeysuckle aphids, thrips and glasshouse whitefly
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to powdery mildews, fungal leaf spot, silver leaf and honey fungus (rarely)