Purple honeysuckle, a diverse group within the Lonicera genus, is celebrated for its striking purple blooms and often fragrance. These adaptable plants are popular additions to many garden styles, adding ornamental appeal to landscapes.
Popular Purple Honeysuckle Varieties
Among the many varieties, Lonicera periclymenum ‘Serotina’, also known as Late Dutch Honeysuckle, is a widely recognized choice. This deciduous vine produces large, tubular flowers that emerge with crimson-purple buds and open to creamy-yellow interiors, often streaked with dark red-purple. It is known for its strong, sweet fragrance and can grow up to 20 feet tall.
Another popular option is Lonicera sempervirens ‘Major Wheeler’, a cultivar of Trumpet Honeysuckle. This fast-growing, broadleaf deciduous vine features abundant clusters of deep red to coral-red tubular flowers, highly attractive to hummingbirds. ‘Major Wheeler’ is known for its long blooming period, often from late spring through summer, and its disease-resistant blue-green foliage. Unlike some other honeysuckle species, it is not considered invasive.
Key Characteristics
Their flowers typically feature shades from deep crimson-purple to reddish-purple, often with contrasting yellow or creamy white throats. Many varieties are known for their delightful fragrance, particularly pronounced in the evenings, attracting nocturnal pollinators.
These plants can exhibit different growth habits, primarily as vining climbers or bushy shrubs. Vining types twine around supports, reaching heights of 10 to 20 feet or more, making them suitable for trellises, arbors, or fences. Their foliage generally consists of opposite, ovate leaves that are often dark green, sometimes with a bluish or glaucous underside.
Planting and Site Selection
These plants generally thrive in full sun to partial shade. Some varieties perform best when their roots are shaded while their foliage receives ample sunlight. Afternoon shade can be beneficial in hotter climates to prevent leaf scorch.
Honeysuckle adapts to various soil types but prefers organically rich, moist, and well-drained soil. While they tolerate a wide pH range from 5.5 to 8.0, good drainage is important to prevent root rot. Amending the soil with well-rotted organic matter, such as compost, before planting improves its structure and fertility.
When planting, dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and just deep enough so the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. For vining types, ensure a sturdy support structure like a trellis or wires is in place, positioning the plant approximately 6 to 12 inches away from the support.
Ongoing Care
Consistent watering is important for newly planted honeysuckle, requiring regular deep watering during the first spring and summer. Once established, most varieties become more drought-tolerant, but they still benefit from occasional deep watering during prolonged dry periods, especially in hot weather. Walls and fences can create a “rain shadow,” leading to drier soil, so plants near these structures may need more frequent watering. Applying a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch around the base in spring helps retain soil moisture and regulate soil temperature.
A general-purpose, balanced fertilizer can be applied in spring, or a slow-release granular fertilizer can be incorporated into the soil. A low-nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., 2-10-10 or 0-10-10 NPK) is often recommended to encourage blooms over excessive foliage. Honeysuckle is not a heavy feeder, so one or two applications per year are usually sufficient.
Pruning techniques vary depending on the honeysuckle type and its flowering time. Early-flowering varieties, which bloom on previous season’s growth, should be pruned immediately after flowering by cutting back flowered shoots by about one-third to maintain shape. Late-flowering types, which bloom on current season’s growth, require light pruning in early spring to thin out congested areas and remove dead or damaged stems. Overgrown plants can be severely pruned in late winter when dormant, cutting stems back to about 2 feet from the ground to rejuvenate the plant, though this may reduce flowering for that season.
Ecological Role and Considerations
Purple honeysuckle attracts various pollinators. The tubular flowers are particularly appealing to hummingbirds, which are drawn to their vibrant colors and nectar. Bees, butterflies, and moths also visit honeysuckle for nectar, supporting local pollinator populations. After flowering, many varieties produce red berries, providing a food source for birds and small mammals, adding to the plant’s wildlife appeal.
Distinguishing between desirable, non-invasive purple honeysuckle varieties and certain invasive Lonicera species is important. Some non-native honeysuckles, such as Amur (Lonicera maackii), Tartarian (Lonicera tatarica), and Morrow’s (Lonicera morrowii), are considered invasive in many regions, outcompeting native plants and disrupting ecosystems. These invasive types often have hollow stems, unlike native honeysuckles which typically have solid stems. When selecting honeysuckle, choosing native or well-behaved non-invasive cultivars helps support local biodiversity and prevents ecological harm.