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Lonicera japonica var. repens

Japanese honeysuckle

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Fantastically fragrant, tubular, red-purple flushed white flowers appear from April to August, fading to yellow. In hot summers the flowers are followed by purple-black berries. This long-flowering Japanese honeysuckle is vigorous and easy to grow. The pretty, purple-tinted foliage provides all-round cover for a pergola, arch or boundary wall.

How to care for Lonicera japonica var. repens:

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.

When planting, add some soil conditioner (well-rotted compost) to the planting hole and some mycorrhizal fungi to aid root establishment. Newly planted honeysuckles should be cut back by up to two thirds in their first full year after planting, 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:
6m
Eventual spread:
5m
Position:

Full sun / light shade

Rate of growth:

Fast-growing

Soil:

Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or peat-free general purpose compost

Hardiness:

Fully hardy

Product options

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PL00003787
3 litre pot | 60cm cane
£29.99
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(shipped within 2-3 working days)
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