Lonicera periclymenum 'Rhubarb and Custard'
Woodbine, Woodbine honeysuckle
Also known as Lonicera 'Rhubarb and Custard'
- Height × spread
- 4.5m × 3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A rather sophisticated form of the exotic-flowered honeysuckles. This has flowers that are basically coloured a warm red, opening from deep purple mahogany buds. However, the flowers have paler speckling on some petals and the occasional one is creamy white with touches of pink suffusion. When the flower opens; long wavy creamy stamens extend far beyond the individual blooms. They are carried on brown-red stems and carry long leaves coloured blue-green with paler veins. This should flower all summer, going into early autumn. Red berries follow the flowers and these are often eaten by birds.
- Flower colour
- Cream, Red, Rose, White
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, floral-honeysuckle
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 4.5m
- Spread
- 3m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction, Bird attraction
- Walls
- East, South, West facing
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
AutumnNow
Autumn - early · Planting
Prune after flowering
Remove any dead or damaged branches or any growth that looks very untidy. Cut back to strong younger shoots. Trim plant the back as necessary to keep it within bounds.
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Found in
More Lonicera
Lonicera
Honeysuckle
Lonicera fragrantissima
Fragrant winter honeysuckle
Lonicera henryi
Henry's honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica
Japanese honyesuckle, Gold and silver flower
Lonicera japonica 'Hall's Prolific'
Japanese honyesuckle, Gold and silver flower
Lonicera japonica 'Halliana'
Japanese honyesuckle, Gold and silver flower
Lonicera ligustrina var. pileata 'Moss Green'
Privet honeysuckle, Box honeysuckle
Lonicera ligustrina var. yunnanensis
Shining honeysuckle, Boxleaf honeysuckle