Lonicera periclymenum
common honeysuckle
Vigorous, twining woody, deciduous climber about 7m tall, with paired, oval mid-green leaves, greyish beneath. Very fragrant, 2-lipped, tubular, white to creamy white flowers, flushed reddish-purple on the outside are 5cm long, open in mid and late summer, followed by glossy, red berries
Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Cream Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Red | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Native to the UK
- Yes
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Potentially harmful
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- Genus
Lonicera can be deciduous and evergreen shrubs, or climbers with twining stems. The tubular or two-lipped flowers, often very fragrant, are followed by red or black berries
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Europe, N Africa, SW Asia
How to grow
Cultivation
Occurs naturally in woodland, scrub or hedgerow; the evening scent of the flowers attracts pollinating moths. Grows best in partial shade but tolerates full sun, and thrives in any fertile, moist but well-drained soil. See Honeysuckle (Climbing) cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by layering
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Climber and wall shrubs
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pruning group 11 after flowering, but no pruning required in a wildlife garden
Pests
May be susceptible to honeysuckle aphids, thrips and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, leaf spot (fungal) and silver leaf
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.