About
This vigorous, deciduous or semi-evergreen, twining climber about 5m tall, with paired, oval, dark green leaves to 6cm long, blue-green beneath, and tubular 2-lipped scented flowers in brightly coloured shades of pink outside and orange-yellow inside, produced in summer, and occasionally followed by 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, Partial shade
Soil typeClay, Loam
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing, North-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeClimber Wall Shrub
HabitClimbing
FoliageDeciduous, Semi evergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
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
CultivationHoneysuckle grows best in partial shade but tolerates full sun, and thrives in any fertile, moist but well-drained soil. See honeysuckle (climbing) cultivation
PruningPruning group 11 after flowering Renovate in late winter or early spring by cutting back all stems to within 60cm of the base
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, fungal leaf spot, silver leaf and honey fungus (rarely)