American Honeysuckle

Some plants turn heads, other plants turn noses, this is the latter and the sweet fragrance is lovely strong with delightful notes of cloves.

This semi evergreen vine has abundant floral whorls from around October to frost. They open white, then after pollination turn to cream and gold with a pink and purple blush. The perfume is strongest at night as they evolved to be pollinated by moths.

After the flowers finish, in autumn ornamental red berries form and are great for the birds.

Quick to grow and establish with dark green elliptical foliage. It is easily pruned to size or can be left to its own devices.

You could choose to let this twining Honeysuckle ramble through trees or shrubs, along walls or fences, through pergolas or trellises, or wherever needs ornament and perfume. The stems will always grow in a clockwise direction.

Plant Honeysuckle in full sun to semi shade – like Clematis, they like their roots in the shade and their tendrils in the sun. Choose a moderately fertile to humus rich, well drained soil. Water to establish, then only if rainfall is low, they are dry tolerant once established. Beneficial insects and birds love the flowers and berries.

This Honeysuckle is a cross of Lonicera caprifolium and L. etrusca.