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Lonicera flava

Phonetic Spelling
loh-NIS-er-ah FLAY-vah
Description

Yellow Honeysuckle is a native woody vine found in rocky soils in woods, slopes, bluffs, ledges, and stream margins. Genus name honors the German botanist Adam Lonitzer (1528-1586). It will climb a trellis with a little help or grow along the ground in a naturalized area and can also take on the form of a small shrub. It is easy to grow in sun to semi-shade in moist sandy loam or gritty loam. The plant is considered endangered in some states

The mid to late-spring flowers are brilliant yellow/orange with a slightly sweet fragrance and attract hummingbirds and butterflies. This is a good vine for a bird garden as the berries attract birds and small mammals. Use this vine on a trellis or fence and for screening. They are not self-fruitful and two plants are necessary to cross-pollinate. Mulch in winter to protect the roots.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Dry Stream Bed Garden in Cabarrus County
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#orange flowers#climbing#woody#spring flowers#showy fruits#NC native#spreading#gold flowers#trellises#red fruits#native garden#summer interest#spring interest#pollinator plant#twining vine#food source summer#vertical spaces#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#vine#butterfly friendly#arbor#partial shade tolerant#Audubon#fence
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#showy flowers#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#orange flowers#climbing#woody#spring flowers#showy fruits#NC native#spreading#gold flowers#trellises#red fruits#native garden#summer interest#spring interest#pollinator plant#twining vine#food source summer#vertical spaces#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#vine#butterfly friendly#arbor#partial shade tolerant#Audubon#fence
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lonicera
    Species:
    flava
    Family:
    Caprifoliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Layering
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern United States
    Distribution:
    AL , AR , GA , IL , KS , KY , MO , NC , OH , OK , SC , TN
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies. Birds eat the berries. Moth host to bumblebee clearwing.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
    Climbing Method:
    Twining
    Dimensions:
    Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    1/4 inch round orange-red berries. Displays from August to Sept.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Cyme
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are 1.25 inches long, occur in whorls at the ends of the stems and are distinctly 2-lipped with 5 unequal petals That are flared and reflexed back. Blooms late spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Oblanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Up to 3.5 inches long, green leaves are gray-green underneath. Leaves at the tips are joined around the stem
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Bark Description:
    Older stems may have shredding bark
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Young stems green and turn woody with age
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Vertical Spaces
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer