Honeysuckle plants (Lonicera genus) are highly valued for their sweet fragrance, which often perfumes the surrounding area. These flowering plants attract local wildlife, particularly hummingbirds and butterflies, with their nectar-rich blooms. Honeysuckle typically grows in one of two forms: twining vines or bushy, upright shrubs. Understanding these distinct habits is key to successfully incorporating this fragrant plant into the landscape.
Choosing the Right Honeysuckle and Location
Selecting the appropriate honeysuckle cultivar begins with deciding between the vining and shrub forms. Vining species, such as European woodbine (Lonicera periclymenum) or Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), are vigorous climbers that require vertical support. Before planting, confirm the regional status of L. japonica, as its rapid spread has caused it to be classified as invasive in many parts of North America. Shrub varieties, like Tatarian honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica), offer a dense, mounding habit that provides structure without additional support.
Honeysuckle flowers most profusely when it receives full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. While the flowering tops thrive in warmth, the roots prefer a cooler, shaded environment to retain soil moisture and prevent stress. Planting in a spot that receives afternoon shade can prevent leaves from scorching in intensely hot climates. The ideal soil is well-drained, preventing water from pooling around the root crown. Honeysuckle tolerates average fertility but prefers soil pH levels ranging from mildly acidic to neutral (6.0 to 7.0).
Step-by-Step Planting Guide
The best time to plant honeysuckle is during cooler periods, either in early spring after the last hard frost or in early fall. Preparing the site involves digging a hole substantially wider than the root ball, ideally twice its diameter. This wide preparation allows the roots to spread easily into the loosened soil, encouraging rapid establishment.
When setting the plant, ensure the top of the root ball remains level with the surrounding soil, matching the depth it held in the container. Planting too deep can smother the crown, leading to stem rot, while planting too shallow exposes delicate roots to drying. Backfill the hole with the excavated soil, gently tamping it down to remove air pockets. After planting, provide a thorough, deep watering to settle the soil and initiate hydration.
Ongoing Care, Pruning, and Support
Once established, honeysuckle is resilient to short periods of dryness, but new plants require consistent moisture during their first year. Water deeply once or twice a week, allowing the top inch of soil to dry out completely between applications to prevent overwatering. Established plants benefit from a single application of a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. Alternatively, a fertilizer with a higher phosphorus ratio encourages more abundant flowering.
Pruning requirements differ based on the plant’s growth habit. Vining honeysuckles require annual maintenance to manage extensive growth and promote flowering on newer wood. The best time for pruning is immediately after the main bloom cycle finishes in the summer. Remove dead, damaged, or tangled stems, and thin out older, unproductive canes to promote better light penetration and air circulation.
Shrub honeysuckles, grown for their dense, structural form, benefit from a light shaping prune in late winter or early spring before bud break. Older, neglected shrubs can be rejuvenated by systematically cutting back one-third of the oldest, thickest stems down to the ground over three years. Vining varieties require a robust support system, such as an arbor, trellis, or fence, as their stems cannot cling independently. Young, flexible stems must be gently guided and tied loosely to the structure to ensure they properly twine and ascend.
Monitoring for common garden pests, specifically aphids, is an ongoing task. Aphids cluster on soft, new growth and are managed effectively by spraying a strong jet of water or applying an insecticidal soap solution. Powdery mildew, a common fungal disease, appears on leaves in humid conditions, especially when air circulation is restricted. This condition is controlled by ensuring proper plant spacing and avoiding overhead watering in the late evening, which leaves foliage wet overnight.