Honeysuckles are a delightful combination of visual appeal and intoxicating aroma, making them an attractive choice for gardeners seeking to attract wildlife, delight their senses, and add a splash of color. With its remarkable heat and drought tolerance, this low-maintenance plant is perfect for busy homesteads. However, to reap the rewards of honeysuckle’s beauty and fragrance, you’ll need to select the right variety, provide optimal growing conditions, and nurture it to thrive.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essential steps to successfully grow honeysuckle.
All About Honeysuckle
While many honeysuckles are climbing plants that require support structures like trellises or fences, there are a few species that exhibit bushy growth habits. Some varieties thrive in containers, while others perform better when planted directly in the ground.
The showy flowers typically bloom during the summer months, showcasing an array of vibrant colors including white, cream, orange, pink, red, salmon, and yellow, depending on the specific plant.
As the sunlight hits the petals, their delicate beauty is truly magnified.
Moreover, honeysuckles’ nectar-rich blooms and intoxicating scents serve as a magnet for local bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies, making them a delightful addition to any yard.
Best Species and Cultivars
When it comes to selecting the perfect honeysuckle species for your property, there are several factors to consider. With numerous species and cultivars available, it’s essential to think about the mature size of the plant you’re interested in growing. Some types of honeysuckles have a climbing habit that can lead to large, sprawling plants taking up considerable space. In contrast, others have been bred to remain more compact or have a slender growth habit.
If you’re short on space, bush honeysuckles are generally a good option. These varieties tend to be more petite and can add a touch of honeysuckle charm to your yard without overwhelming it.
Invasive Honeysuckle
While honeysuckle species and hybrids can be lovely additions to any garden, it’s essential to note that some varieties have earned a reputation as invasive. The USDA Forest Service has identified certain types of honeysuckle as problematic in specific regions due to their aggressive growth habits and robust root systems, making them challenging to eradicate once established.
These invasive honeysuckles can form dense stands that shade out other plants, disrupting the delicate balance of ecosystems. Specifically, Morrow’s Honeysuckle, Amur Honeysuckle, Bell’s Honeysuckle, and Japanese Honeysuckle are known to cause issues. If you’re considering planting any of these species, be prepared to dedicate significant time and resources to controlling their spread.
In some regions, this might be an insurmountable task, but in areas like arid western states, it may be feasible to keep them under control. If, however, you’re not willing or able to invest in managing the plant’s invasive tendencies, there are still plenty of other options available for creating a thriving garden.
Non-Invasive Honeysuckle
Trumpet Honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens, is a popular choice among gardeners, thriving in USDA Growing Zones 4-9. Its large, showy flowers come in various cultivars and hybrids. For a more vibrant option, consider Dropmore Scarlet (Lonicera x brownii), featuring bright red blooms on a vigorous grower that’s not invasive. Another standout is Mandarin honeysuckle (L.), boasting mandarin orange blossoms on a robust vine suitable for Zones 4-9.
For added color and vibrancy, Goldflame or American Beauty (Lonicera x heckrottii) offers multi-colored pink, orange, salmon, and yellow flowers on a 15-foot-long vine. Perfect for areas that need a splash of color, this variety thrives in Zones 4-9. Common honeysuckle (L. periclymenum), native to Europe, boasts petite yellow blossoms on a plant that tolerates partial shade without sacrificing its vibrant hue.
Growing in Zones 4-9, it’s an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance option. For a more compact grower, consider Bush honeysuckle (Diervilla rivularis), featuring yellow blossoms and a bush-like growth habit suitable for smaller spaces. This variety excels in Zones 5-9. Southern bush honeysuckle (D. sessilifolia) is closely related to its northern counterpart, boasting similar characteristics but growing no larger than five feet tall and wide.
It thrives in Zones 5-8, making it an excellent choice for gardeners with smaller plots. Finally, Yellow honeysuckle (L. flava) boasts bright yellow and orange blossoms on a vigorous vine that can grow up to 20 feet tall. Plant this variety in Zones 4-9 for a stunning display of color.
Planting Honeysuckle
To begin planting honeysuckle, start by selecting the ideal location. Depending on whether you’re working with climbing or shrub varieties, the area will vary. When cultivating vining types, ensure they have at least 18 inches of space between each other, while bush types require even more room to spread out. Prior to planting, install the support structure and leave a few inches of clearance from walls or fences for the vines to twine around the trellis or wire.
To plant transplants, start by digging a hole that’s as deep as the container and twice as wide. Gently remove the plant from its pot and settle it into the ground. Fill in the surrounding soil and water thoroughly. To encourage new stems and bushier growth, prune the existing shoots back by two-thirds. Then, secure the remaining shoots to your support structure. Alternatively, you can propagate honeysuckle through seeds or cuttings.
For seeds, purchase them and subject them to a 12-week cold stratification period. Moisten some moss and sand, place the seeds within, and store them in the refrigerator. Once the seeds have completed their cold stratification cycle, remove them from the fridge and plant them in your garden after the last projected frost date has passed. Plant the seeds about a quarter-inch deep and keep them consistently moist. Space seeds approximately 18 inches apart.
If you’re looking to propagate honeysuckle using cuttings, you can start by taking a few in the morning. For more information on this process, check out our guide. Honeysuckle also propagates easily through layering, which involves bending the stem down to soil level and covering it with a little soil. Over time, the buried part of the plant will develop roots, allowing you to remove it from the parent plant. Learn more about layering in our guide.
Caring for Honeysuckle
To ensure healthy growth and thriving blooms, providing support for your climbing honeysuckle is crucial. Without it, the plant may collapse on the ground, making it vulnerable to pests and diseases. As the seasons change, your honeysuckle will require varying levels of care. During spring and summer dry spells, water thoroughly when the soil feels dry up to your second knuckle. Rainfall should typically provide sufficient moisture, but check regularly to avoid dehydration.
Once established, you can reduce watering during hot periods. For optimal growth, fertilize annually in early spring with a balanced or flower-targeted formula like JR Peter’s Jack’s Classic Blossoms Booster. Additionally, honeysuckle appreciates mulch, such as garden compost or well-rotted manure, which enriches the soil, adds nutrients, and helps retain moisture.
Pruning Honeysuckle
To keep your honeysuckle thriving, regular pruning is crucial. This maintenance task not only promotes blooming but also helps maintain the plant’s overall health. Late-flowering types require pruning in spring when you can remove long shoots and thin out congested areas, starting with the weak ones to give the healthy stems a better chance.
On the other hand, early-flowering types that produce new growth on previous season’s growth are best pruned in late summer or fall, with a one-third shoot reduction to avoid stressing the plant. If you’re looking to revitalize your honeysuckle, consider pruning it in late winter by cutting back all stems to about half and selecting the strongest ones to serve as a framework. This method is particularly effective for congested plants.
Honeysuckle Growing Problems
With its robust nature, honeysuckle is generally easy to cultivate indoors. However, one common challenge that may arise is powdery mildew, a fungal disease that typically affects the plant during warm summer months. While not insurmountable, addressing this issue requires some knowledge and proper care. For more information on recognizing and managing powdery mildew in your honeysuckle plants, refer to our comprehensive guide.
Sprinkle Some Honeysuckle Sweetness Into Your Garden
When it comes to adding a touch of sweetness to your garden, honeysuckle is an excellent choice. Its fragrant blooms and stunning appearance make it a standout addition to any outdoor space. As long as you opt for a non-invasive variety and provide the ideal growing conditions, cultivating honeysuckle at home should be a breeze. With the first flowers blooming, you’ll be thrilled with your decision to bring this lovely plant onto your property.
