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View full detailsLonicera, commonly known as climbing honeysuckle, is a classic, deciduous or semi-evergreen climber celebrated for its beautifully fragrant, tubular flowers and its ability to attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. With its twining stems and abundant blooms from late spring into summer (and sometimes beyond), honeysuckle is perfect for adding romance, softness, and wildlife value to walls, fences, pergolas, or arches. Many varieties also develop decorative red or orange berries in late summer, adding further seasonal interest.
Beautifully Fragrant Flowers – Sweetly scented blooms in shades of creamy white, yellow, pink, or red fill the garden with perfume, especially in the evening.
Wildlife-Friendly – Highly attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbird moths; later, birds enjoy the autumn berries.
Twining Habit – Climbs naturally by twining around supports, perfect for arches, trellises, pergolas, or fences.
Versatile & Easy to Grow – Tolerant of sun or partial shade, making it ideal for less-than-perfect garden spots.
Long Season of Interest – Flowers from late spring into summer; some varieties have a second flush or extend into early autumn.
Position: Thrives in full sun or partial shade. Many varieties perform best with their roots in shade and flowers in sun (e.g., planting low-growing shrubs or mulch at the base).
Soil: Prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil but adapts well to most conditions.
Watering: Water regularly during establishment; mature plants are moderately drought-tolerant.
Pruning:
→ Prune lightly after flowering to control size and encourage strong, new growth.
→ Remove dead, tangled, or weak stems in late winter or early spring.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring to support healthy growth and flowering.
Support: Provide trellis, wires, or other structures for the stems to twine around.
Lonicera periclymenum ‘Graham Thomas’ – Pale yellow, highly fragrant flowers; long-flowering and reliable.
Lonicera periclymenum ‘Serotina’ – Deeply scented, purple-red and creamy-yellow flowers; blooms into late summer.
Lonicera japonica ‘Halliana’ – Evergreen/semi-evergreen with white flowers fading to yellow; vigorous and ideal for mild climates.
Lonicera henryi – Evergreen honeysuckle with yellow-flushed flowers; good for covering large areas quickly.
Lonicera is ideal for covering arches, pergolas, trellises, or fences, where its fragrant flowers can be enjoyed at nose level. It pairs beautifully with clematis (for a complementary or contrasting bloom period) or can be underplanted with lavender, salvia, or geraniums for a romantic cottage garden effect.
🌿 Tip: Combine with evening-scented plants like jasmine or Nicotiana to enhance nighttime fragrance near seating areas.
