Lonicera xylosteum
Honeysuckle, Fly honeysuckle, Dwarf emerald mound honeysuckle
- Height × spread
- 3m × 3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Spring, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A three metre high native shrub with mid-green oval leaves that have a soft pointed tip. They are coloured a soft matt green and have a smooth appearance. They are downy to the touch. The flowers, appearing in late spring, are small, coloured creamy yellow and, though borne freely, are scattered across the foliage either singly or in small groups and are not highly ornamental. They also lack fragrance. Later, the main attraction is the masses of pretty red berries, a good resource for birds and appearing in late summer. The leaves turn soft yellow in autumn before leaf fall, making a rather gentle contribution to the autumn canvas.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Autumn foliage
- Yellow-soft
- Fruit colour
- Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cube
- Height
- 3m
- Spread
- 3m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer
- Flowers in
- Spring, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Structural, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Bird attraction, Sensory garden (tactile)
- Walls
- South, West facing
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- No
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.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Prune after flowering
When the plant has flowered, cut all the flowered shoots back to healthy buds that are lower on the stems. When the plant is established, take out a quarter of the oldest branches to the ground at this time.
Planting & general
Outdoor planting · Planting
Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole
Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.
Found in
More Lonicera
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Lonicera fragrantissima
Fragrant winter honeysuckle
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Henry's honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica
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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