Variegated honeysuckle adds distinct visual appeal to any garden with its striking foliage patterns. Its vibrant leaves, often edged or splashed with contrasting colors, make it a desirable choice. It can serve as an elegant climbing vine or a unique groundcover.
Understanding Variegated Honeysuckle
Variegated honeysuckle varieties are distinguished by their multi-colored leaves, a genetic trait where chlorophyll production is uneven. This creates patterns of green, white, cream, or sometimes pink or yellow. For example, Lonicera japonica ‘Aureo-reticulata’ features green leaves intricately veined with bright yellow. Lonicera periclymenum ‘Harlequin’ showcases green foliage with creamy white margins that can blush pink in cooler temperatures. These variegations provide season-long interest, even when not in bloom.
The flowers of variegated honeysuckle are fragrant and appear in clusters, with colors ranging from white and cream to pink and yellow. These blooms are typically trumpet-shaped and attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds. Most variegated honeysuckle varieties grow as woody vines with a twining habit, making them suitable for climbing supports.
Planting Variegated Honeysuckle
Variegated honeysuckle thrives in full sun to partial shade. While full sun encourages more abundant flowering, some afternoon shade can be beneficial to protect from scorching or powdery mildew. The plant prefers its roots cool and shaded, achievable through mulching or planting low-growing groundcover plants around the base.
Variegated honeysuckle is adaptable to various soil types but performs best in moist, well-drained, rich loam. If your soil is heavy clay, adding compost or organic matter can improve drainage and aeration. Organic matter also helps sandy soils retain moisture. The ideal soil pH for honeysuckle ranges from slightly acidic to moderately alkaline.
When planting, dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the rootball. The plant’s crown should be level with the surrounding soil, not deeper. Loosen circled roots before placing the plant. After positioning, backfill with amended soil, firming gently to remove air pockets, then water thoroughly. For climbing varieties, install a trellis, arbor, or support structure when planting to guide its twining growth.
Caring for Variegated Honeysuckle
Consistent watering is needed for variegated honeysuckle, especially during its first year and dry spells. While it prefers consistently moist soil, avoid waterlogging to prevent root rot. Once established, the plant can tolerate periods of drought, but supplemental irrigation may be needed during prolonged drought. Mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture and keeps roots cool.
Variegated honeysuckle benefits from a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to support healthy growth and abundant flowering. Compost or composted manure are also options. However, too much nitrogen can lead to excessive foliage, so follow product label instructions.
Pruning maintains variegated honeysuckle’s shape, health, and vigor. For climbing varieties, major pruning is best done after the late summer bloom, removing about one-third of the growth to maintain shape. For overgrown plants, a drastic renovation prune can be done in late winter or early spring, cutting back to about a foot from the ground. Remove dead or damaged branches anytime. Pruning also improves air circulation, reducing disease risk.
Managing Common Issues
Variegated honeysuckle can encounter common pests and diseases. Aphids are a frequent problem, leading to curled, distorted leaves as they feed on new growth. Their feeding also results in sticky honeydew and sooty mold. A strong water spray dislodges smaller aphid populations; encouraging natural predators like lady beetles helps manage them. For severe infestations, insecticidal soaps or horticultural oils provide relief, but apply them before leaves curl, as this protects aphids.
Powdery mildew appears as a white, powdery coating on leaves. It’s often exacerbated by dry roots, poor air circulation, or overly shaded conditions. Pruning for airflow and mulching to retain soil moisture help prevent it. If powdery mildew develops, removing infected leaves and applying a solution of baking soda, mild soap, and vegetable oil is effective.
Some honeysuckle species, particularly Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle), are considered invasive in certain regions. These aggressive vines spread rapidly, outcompeting native vegetation and potentially smothering trees and shrubs.
While Lonicera japonica ‘Aureo-reticulata’ is less vigorous than the straight species due to variegation, its spread should still be monitored. To manage invasive honeysuckle, small patches can be hand-pulled, removing all roots. For larger infestations, chemical control with herbicides like glyphosate or triclopyr, applied in fall when native plants are dormant, is effective. Choosing non-invasive alternatives like Lonicera periclymenum ‘Harlequin’ or native honeysuckle is a responsible gardening practice.