Lonicera × italica
Italian honeysuckle
A large, vigorous twining deciduous climber with broadly elliptic leaves. Very fragrant tubular white flowers, soon turning yellow and suffused with purple, are borne in terminal clusters
Synonyms
Lonicera periclymenum 'Belgica' misappliedLonicera caprifolium 'Pauciflora'
see moreLonicera 'American'
Lonicera caprifolium f. pauciflora
Lonicera × americana misapplied
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 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 | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple White Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Red | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
North–facing or West–facing or South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical 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
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Best in partial shade but tolerates full sun, thrives in any moist but well-drained soil
Propagation
Propagate by layering, hardwood cuttings or semi-hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Coastal
- 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)
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