Lonicera hildebrandiana
giant Burmese honeysuckle
The largest honeysuckle. It is an evergreen climber capable of reaching 10m or more, with flowers and leaves both up to 15cm long. The leaves are dark green and glossy. The highly fragrant, tubular flowers appear in pairs in the leaf axils all summer, opening pale cream and maturing to pale orange. Red berries up to 3cm long follow
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Cream Orange | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Red | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Climbing
- 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
- SE Asia, China
How to grow
Cultivation
May survive against a warm wall in very mild areas, otherwise grow in a cool greenhouse or conservatory in peat-free, loam-based compost with bright, filtered light
Propagation
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pests
May be susceptible to honeysuckle aphids, thrips and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, fungal leaf spot, silver leaf and honey fungus (rarely)
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.