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Lonicera periclymenum is often confused with:
Lonicera sempervirens Lonicera sempervirens
Native alternative(s) for Lonicera periclymenum:
Lonicera dioica Flowers
Lonicera flava Flowers and upper leaves joined
Lonicera sempervirens Lonicera sempervirens
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Lonicera acuminata Lonicera alseuosmoides
Lonicera x heckrottii Lonicera X heckrottii
Syringa vulgaris Syringa vulgaris 'Congo'

Lonicera periclymenum

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:
  • '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', 'Berries Jubilee', 'Serotina'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#shrub#moth caterpillar host#spring flowers#slopes#cottage garden#dappled shade#moist soil#fast growing#well-drained soil#twining#deer resistant#children's garden#red fruits#playground plant#groundcover#fruits fall#acidic soils tolerant#alkaline soils tolerant#pollinator plant#vine#butterfly friendly#arbor#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#black walnut toxicity tolerant#butterfly caterpillar host#fence#moth friendly#woodland
 
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', 'Berries Jubilee', 'Serotina'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#shrub#moth caterpillar host#spring flowers#slopes#cottage garden#dappled shade#moist soil#fast growing#well-drained soil#twining#deer resistant#children's garden#red fruits#playground plant#groundcover#fruits fall#acidic soils tolerant#alkaline soils tolerant#pollinator plant#vine#butterfly friendly#arbor#partial shade tolerant#bee friendly#black walnut toxicity tolerant#butterfly caterpillar host#fence#moth friendly#woodland
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Vine
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Climbing
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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,
  • 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