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Zones 3-9
Attracts Pollinators
Fragrant Flowers
Borders
Woodbine, Caprifolium, Lonicera
North America, Europe, and Asia
Bushes
Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen, Deciduous
3 - 9
White, Yellow, Pink, Red, Orange
Mid to Late Spring
Clumping, Spreading, Upright, Mounded, Climbing
Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
Drought, Heat, Humidity, Harsh Winters
Diseases, Pests
Honeysuckle plants are known for their sweet-smelling, tube-shaped flowers that grow in bunches of white, yellow, orange, or pink. These blossoms produce edible nectar, attracting pollinators such as hummingbirds and butterflies. After blooming, the decorative berries feed curious birds when the season wanes. Depending on the species, honeysuckles can grow as twining vines reaching up to 25 feet or as shrubs up to 15 feet tall. Their opposite, simple oval leaves vary between deciduous and evergreen types.
Cloak an archway with vining honeysuckle for a romantic entrance, or train it up a trellis near a patio where its scent can be savored. You can also use it to soften fences and screen unsightly views while weaving in other climbers if you prefer more texture. Shrubby types can function as low, narrow hedges or foundation plantings. Grow evergreen types for year-round coverage, remembering to prune old growth and thin crowded stems for healthier growth.
| Type | Scientific Name | Flower | Foliage | Habit | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodbine / European Honeysuckle | Lonicera periclymenum | Crimson-purple outside, creamy yellow-white inside, 2-lobed tubes | Deciduous, opposite, dark-green above, blue-green beneath | Vigorous twining vine/shrub to 20 ft | Fragrant, showy; red berries; lures birds & hummingbirds; deer-tolerant |
| Grape Honeysuckle | Lonicera reticulata | Pale yellow aging to orange-red, ¾–1 in tubes | Round, blue-green, glaucous leaves | Loose twining vine to 15 ft (can mound) | Fragrant; bright red “grape” berries; hummingbird & butterfly favorite |
| Trumpet Honeysuckle | Lonicera sempervirens | Scarlet to orange-red outside, yellow inside, 2-in trumpets | Semi-evergreen, bluish-green | Fast twining vine 8–15 ft | Showy, non-invasive; attracts hummingbirds, butterflies; red fruit |
| Box Honeysuckle | Lonicera nitida | Tiny creamy-white pairs, lightly scented | Evergreen, glossy ¼-in leaves; purple winter tint | Dense mounded shrub 4–6 ft; clips well | Drought & deer resistant; bird-friendly berries; salt-spray tolerant |
| Honeyberry / Blue Honeysuckle | Lonicera caerulea | Yellowish-white paired bells | Deciduous, glaucous oval leaves | Multi-branched shrub 4–6 ft | Early, tasty blue berries; extreme cold-hardy; bird food |
| Northern Bush Honeysuckle | Diervilla lonicera | Yellow tubes aging orange-red | Deciduous, glossy green turning yellow-orange-red | Low suckering shrub 2–3 ft | Drought tough; long bloom; larval host; birds nest in thickets |
| Southern Bush Honeysuckle | Diervilla sessilifolia | Sulfur-yellow trumpets | Sessile, dark green with red veins | Compact suckering shrub 3–5 ft | Shade & drought tolerant; attracts hummingbirds & butterflies |
| Mountain Bush Honeysuckle | Diervilla rivularis | Pale/yellow-green trumpets | Hairy, oval, good red-gold fall color | Colony-forming shrub 3–6 ft | Heat, clay & drought tolerant; showy fall tones |
| Boxleaf Honeysuckle | Lonicera nitida | Tiny cream tubes | Gold, chartreuse or dark-green tiny leaves | Dwarf evergreen shrub 2–3 ft | Year-round foliage color; takes heavy shearing; rabbit resistant |
Honeysuckle thrives in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. It adapts to various soil types but prefers rich, moist, well-drained conditions. During the first year, regular watering helps establish a robust root system; once established, the plant exhibits drought tolerance, needing water only during prolonged dry periods. Applying a balanced fertilizer in early spring supports healthy growth and abundant flowering.
Pruning honeysuckle is not mandatory but can be performed after the flowering period to maintain desired shape and size. In winter, most honeysuckle varieties are hardy in USDA zones 4 through 10 and require minimal care; simply remove damaged growth as needed and allow the plant to go dormant. For container-grown honeysuckle, select a pot with drainage holes, and consider moving it to a protected area during winter to shield it from harsh weather conditions.
Learn More About Honeysuckle Care
Honeysuckle thrives in moist, well-drained soil under full sun to light shade. Clematis weaves through the honeysuckle’s branches, benefiting from the shade at its base while echoing its summer-to-fall bloom; climbing roses match its climbing habit and pleasant fragrance, creating a layered vertical display. Low-growing verbena dresses the ground beneath with season-long flower clusters, and dianthus adds a neat, fragrant edging that contrasts the shrub’s loose habit without demanding extra care.
