Lonicera periclymenum 'Rhubarb and Custard'
honeysuckle 'Rhubarb and Custard'
A compact climbing deciduous shrub reaching up to 2m in height. Leaves undivided, ovate to oblong, in pairs, green with a more glaucous underside. Flowers are intensely fragrant, borne in clusters at the ends of the shoots. Flower buds are deep purple, opening to pink becoming a deep yellow as the flowers mature
Size
Ultimate height
1.5–2.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
1–1.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Purple Pink | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing or North–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- 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
Unresolved
How to grow
Cultivation
This compact climbing variety is suitable for pots and containers as well as for filling gaps on walls and trellises. Honeysuckle 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 layering, hardwood cuttings or semi-ripe cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Coastal
- Wildlife gardens
- Climber and wall shrubs
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pruning group 11 after flowering
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
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