How To Grow And Care For Common Honeysuckle

During Southern summers, the sweet scent of common honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) is everywhere. The green vines snake up trellises, adorn arbors, and break into bloom when the warm weather arrives, giving off clouds of honeyed fragrance that we associate with summer in the South. Honeysuckles include a large family of plants—some are highly invasive and should be avoided, while others are more easily controlled and good choices to plant in the garden. We often spot invasive honeysuckle growing rampantly in the wild, climbing trees and surfaces or forming large shrubs, though the fragrance alerts us of its presence long before we see it. Though it's moderately fast-growing, common honeysuckle (also known as woodbine) is a European species that is better-behaved and slower to spread.

Common honeysuckle has long, tubular flowers in shades of yellow, white, and orange tinged with pink or red. The plants attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies all day as the tiny blooms are filled with nectar and draw garden visitors from near and far. This honeysuckle really stars in the garden at night, when it releases its strongest fragrance to attract pollinating moths. Though it doesn't cling to walls on its own, you can train this honeysuckle to grow on a trellis, fence, or pergola, or along the ground.

In addition to the flowers, the vines bear bright red berries in fall and dark green leaves that can remain year-round in mild climates. The berries are toxic to people, although other parts of the plant are not considered harmful to humans. Honeysuckle is mildly toxic to pets. Plant your honeysuckle in early spring after all danger of frost has passed and enjoy the sweet fragrance all summer long.

Common Honeysuckle Care

Honeysuckle is a hardy plant and can grow under challenging conditions, but it doesn't do well in water-logged soils. Staking, wires, or trellises will help these flowering vines get established. In the South, common honeysuckle does best in moderate temperatures and with partial sunlight. Regularly watering during dry spells and using well-draining, rich soil will help these plants thrive. If your garden does not have fertile soil, amending with compost might be necessary. Depending on the location, regular pruning will prevent this species from becoming overgrown.

Light

Common honeysuckle prefers to grow in partial sun in hotter climates as this plant is used to living in a tree canopy. The plant could scorch in full sun in the South, but will produce more blooms if it has plenty of sunlight in the mornings. Plant honeysuckle in an area that resembles its native woodlands, protecting the roots with more shade and allowing it to scramble up to reach the light. Common honeysuckle can do well in dappled sunlight, but in deep shade is susceptible to powdery mildew and may not flower.

Soil

Common honeysuckle grows in most soil types but prefers organically rich, moist, and well-drained soil. Any fertile soil supports honeysuckle as long as it's not soggy. This plant is not particular about soil pH and will thrive in a slightly acidic, neutral, or slightly alkaline environment.

Water

If your region experiences prolonged droughts during the summer, remember to water honeysuckle. New plants need consistent watering. After establishing, honeysuckle is relatively drought-tolerant but still needs some moisture—about 1 inch of water from rain or manual watering every week. Mulching or adding organic compost can help honeysuckle retain its moisture. Since honeysuckle vines climb, ensure the roots receive water around the base.

Temperature and Humidity

Common honeysuckle can be grown throughout the South with the exception of the Tropical South. Some varieties of this very cold-hardy plant can even be grown in Zone 4. Excessive heat and humidity can lead to powdery mildew and other fungal diseases, but some named cultivars are more resistant to disease.

Fertilizer

Honeysuckle prefers organically rich soil. If your soil needs enriching, supplement with a couple of inches of compost in early spring. You can also apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer according to label directions each year in early spring.

Types Of Common Honeysuckle

These popular common honeysuckle varieties are known for their beautiful flowers as well as a compact size that is suitable for any garden:

• 'Peaches and Cream': Dreamy, multi-colored flowers start with purplish-red buds that open to reveal a soft pinkish interior that fades to peach. This variety reaches about 6 or 8 feet in length and has improved resistance to disease.
• 'Sweet Tea': This creamy white-and-yellow honeysuckle is lightly tinged with pink. 'Sweet Tea' is very compact, growing to 5 or 6 feet.
• 'Scentsation': Creamy blooms age to a bright buttery yellow. This variety can grow to about 10 feet.

Pruning

Common honeysuckle doesn't require significant pruning, but trimming the plant after it is well-established can help its appearance and health. Common honeysuckle blooms on the previous year's growth, with a first bloom in spring and sporadic blooming in summer. Keep the vine healthy by removing dead and damaged branches at any time.

Wait to do more significant pruning after a bloom in late summer so you don't remove flower buds that have formed. Trim wayward vines to neaten the plant's appearance, or cut the whole plant back as much as a third to control the size. If you want to maximize flowering in a narrow space, you can cut all side shoots into short spurs, leaving two or three buds on each spur.

If you have an older plant that looks bare, forlorn, or downright unattractive, you can renovate your honeysuckle by cutting it back to 2 feet above the ground in late winter. The plant will send out new shoots. Provide supports for those shoots while also removing weak-looking stems.

Propagating Common Honeysuckle

Propagate common honeysuckle through semi-ripe cuttings, layering, or from seed. While all of these options will provide new honeysuckle plants, using cuttings is an easy way to multiply honeysuckle. Here's how to propagate common honeysuckle using cuttings: 

1. Using sharp, sterile pruners, take 6-inch semi-ripe cuttings from one-year-old vines on the honeysuckle plant in the morning during the summer. The stems will be firm but flexible, and the cuts should be at an angle. 
2. Remove the lower leaves and place into a glass of water if you won't be planting right away. 
3. Dip the bottom tip of each cutting into rooting hormone powder. Stick the cuttings into a well-draining container filled with potting mix, sticking the bare portion of the stem under the soil and leaving the leaves exposed. Water well.
4. Place in a warm location with bright light but out of direct sunlight. Keep the soil lightly moist at all times. To prevent wilting, spray leaves with water to keep them moist or cover them with a clear plastic bag, using stakes if needed so that the plastic does not come in contact with the plants. You can remove the plastic as soon as the plants begin to root.
5. Roots should emerge after a few weeks so you can transplant them to their new location. 

How to Grow Common Honeysuckle From Seed

Growing honeysuckle from seeds is another way to propagate this plant. Save the seeds from the bright red berries that drop in the fall, or purchase some from a garden center. After collecting seeds, sow them directly in a container filled with potting soil or save them in a cold location to start them indoors, depending on the time of year. These seeds must be cold to germinate, so add them to a mixture of compost before placing them in the refrigerator. Keep seeds refrigerated for about 12 weeks and remove them in the spring to plant.

Potting And Repotting Common Honeysuckle

Common honeysuckle can be successfully grown in containers. Choose a container that is twice the width of the plant's existing pot, as the roots require a lot of space to grow. Make sure the container has drainage holes and that the plant isn't sitting in water. However, keep in mind that containers dry out quickly and require more frequent watering than garden soil.

Use a high-quality, well-draining potting mix, and set the plant so the rootball is just at the surface of the soil. You can place a trellis or stake in the pot to support the vines, or set the pot along a fence or wall (you may need to use ties to bolster the vines, and the latter method will make it harder to move the pot if needed). Repot the plant into a larger container once the roots outgrow the pot, using fresh potting mix.

Overwintering

Winter care is relatively simple in the South. Mulching helps protect the honeysuckle's roots when the temperatures drop. In the fall, use three to four inches of straw or organic compost around the base of the plant. You don't need to fertilize honeysuckle during the winter, as dormant plants can't absorb nutrients.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Common honeysuckle is relatively susceptible to diseases and pests. Some fungi, like leaf blight, cause the foliage to curl or deform. Prune damaged or diseased foliage to stop the spread of disease. Powdery mildew and leaf spots occur in humid climates. Make sure the plant has good air circulation and spray with the appropriate fungicide if the problem becomes severe.

Some pests that infect the common honeysuckle include aphids, scale, and caterpillars, which insecticidal soap can control. Often a gentle spray of water is enough to remove pests from the plant.

How To Get Common Honeysuckle To Bloom

With common honeysuckle, more sunlight encourages more blooming. Common honeysuckle planted in shady areas will bloom less often. In the South, a good rule is to select a planting site with direct sunlight in the mornings and light shade during the hottest hours of the day. The plant can take some time to establish, so younger honeysuckle might not reach its full blooming potential for at least three years. Maintaining proper care and limiting pruning to late summer will help your plant showcase better blooms and foliage.

Common Problems With Common Honeysuckle

Common honeysuckle is a relatively easy plant, but there are still some issues. Aphids are the most likely pest to infect honeysuckle, while other conditions may emerge because of improper care.

Curling Leaves

After an aphid infestation, honeysuckle is left with curling or distorted foliage as the pests' excretion causes mold. Aphids are more likely to attack plants in shady environments. Remove infested branches or leaves and apply insecticidal soap.

Leaves Turning Black/Brown

A plant pathogen called sudden oak death can spread to honeysuckle grown in gardens through the soil, though it is more common in wooded areas. If infected, the honeysuckle stems and foliage with turn brown or black around the edges. If detected early, removing damaged or diseased branches might save the plant. Leaf spots and too much fertilizer are also reasons why honeysuckle turns brown.