Lonicera sempervirens
trumpet honeysuckle
This ‘trumpet honeysuckle’ is a vigorous semi-evergreen climber with masses of coral-pink to orange tubular flowers that will smother boundary walls, trellises and pergolas all summer. Followed by bright red berries, popular with the birds, Lonicera sempervirens will also happily scramble through robust shrubs and small trees. While not scented, this magnificent climber will not disappoint as a tropical ‘tutti-frutti’ backdrop for hot colour border schemes.
How to care for Lonicera sempervirens:
To avoid dry conditions, and to ensure good soil contact around the rootball, we advise planting climbers at least 30cm (12in), and preferably 45-60cm (18-24in) away from the base of a wall or fence. An even larger distance should be maintained when planting climbers beside an existing tree or shrub.
Newly planted honeysuckles should be cut back by up to two thirds in their first year in early spring. The resulting new growth can then be tied onto a frame, and nipped back when it reaches the desired height. In subsequent years (again in early spring), thin out congested stems, and prune lanky stems back to healthy buds. Every few years, you may want to renovate your plant, and you can do this by cutting it back to around 60cm above the ground. The subsequent mass of growth will need to be thinned and tied on as before. After pruning, apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted compost or manure around the base of the plant.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
Eventual spread:
Position:
Full sun / light shade
Rate of growth:
Average
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
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This climber is semi-evergreen, so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new foliage appears again in spring.
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Humans/Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten
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