Lonicera periclymenum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- luh-NIS-er-a per-ee-KLY-men-um
- Description
-
Lonicera periclymenum, commonly known as honeysuckle or woodbine, is a deciduous twining vine in the Caprifoliaceae family. It prefers dappled sunlight and moist, well-drained soils but tolerates both acidic and alkaline soil pH. Its native habitat is woods, hedgerows, scrub and shady places. It prefers to have its roots in the shade with shoots climbing towards the sun. Once established, it is fairly drought tolerant.
This plant has fragrant flowers that open ivory with a purple tinge, but the fragrance is more noticeable after dark. Honeysuckle is a vigorously growing vine that requires little maintenance. This plant is suitable for cooler regions and makes excellent screening due to its ability to twine through and above fences. It is best planted in areas where it can climb around structures, such as pergolas and foundations. However, it can be trained as a ground cover. When pruning, keep in mind that the plant will flower on old growth.
It also serves as a host plant for the larvae of the Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) as well as the Twenty-plume moth (Alucita hexadactyla).
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Belgica'
Purplish red color on the outside of the flowers - 'Berries Jubilee'
Yellow flowers and red berries. - 'Serotina'
Bright pink flowers with a whitish-yellow stem beneath the pink.
- 'Belgica'
- 'Belgica', 'Berries Jubilee', 'Serotina'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Belgica'
Purplish red color on the outside of the flowers - 'Berries Jubilee'
Yellow flowers and red berries. - 'Serotina'
Bright pink flowers with a whitish-yellow stem beneath the pink.
- 'Belgica'
- 'Belgica', 'Berries Jubilee', 'Serotina'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lonicera
- Species:
- periclymenum
- Family:
- Caprifoliaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The flowers are antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, expectorant, and used to reduce fever.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Layering
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- UK, Europe north to Scandinavia, south to N Africa and Greece
- Distribution:
- North America, primarily in Nova Scotia, Ontario, New England, and the Pacific Northwest.
- Wildlife Value:
- Pollinated by long-tongued bees, butterflies, and moths.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Fragrance
- Screening
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- 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.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Vine
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- 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
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- 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, 9a, 9b
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-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Deep red berries are .25" in diameter and mature in September.
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Lipped
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- This plant has fragrant flowers that open ivory with a purple tinge. They are found in whorls on spikes, clustered at the end of branches. It blooms in spring and sporadically through the summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Dark green leaves with an obvious pale-green/ yellowish-green line (vein) down the middle on top.
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-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Thin stems are twining, glabrous and have a brown/purple/red color,
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Recreational Play Area
- Slope/Bank
- Vertical Spaces
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Children's Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Moths
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Drought
