Lonicera
Honeysuckle
- Height × spread
- 0.5m – 25m × 0.5m – 10m
- Position
- All conditions
Availability
Generally available in Spring, Summer & Autumn
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
Loved for its fragrance, honeysuckle is a classic cottage garden and wildlife friendly favourite. It's most well known as a twining climber with tubular flowers in orange, yellow, red or pink. Usually summer flowering, it attracts pollinators and birds love the berries which follow. Also in shrub form, some make excellent evergreen hedging. Some flower in winter while others bear edible fruits.
- Flower colour
- Apricot, Cream, Lilac, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Rose, White, Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Blue, Green, White, Yellow
- Fruit colour
- Black, Blue, Orange, Purple, Red, Violet
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- Yes, some varieties
- Shape
- Bell, Cone, Cube, Dome, Fan, Round
- Height
- 0.5m – 25m
- Spread
- 0.5m – 10m
- Season of interest
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Winter garden, Small scale garden, Seaside garden, Scented garden, Prairie garden, Mediterranean garden, Gravel garden, Exotic garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- All conditions
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil, Well drained soil, Dry and shady soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, some are not hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Wall cover, Hedge, Topiary, Ground cover, Structural, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction, Bird attraction
- Maintenance
- Easycare – low/no maintenance
- Hazards
- Yes, some leaves & stems are prickly/thorny
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.
Planting & general
Planting
Prune some varieties
Some plants within this genus have additional requirements for pruning. It is best to look up your specific plant, or the species it belongs to for pruning guidance.
Found in
More Lonicera
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
Lonicera nitida 'Twiggy'
Shining honeysuckle, Boxleaf honeysuckle