Lonicera 'Mandarin'
Words: Graham Rice
Honeysuckles are among the easiest to grow and most valuable of hardy climbers, so when the RHS decided to run a trial, some outstanding entries were expected. 53 entries were trialled over three years but only seven were considered of such quality that they deserved an Award of Garden Merit. Of these, ‘Mandarin’, was especially impressive.
It was the brilliant colour of the bloom that especially caught the attention of the panel of assessors. 'Flowers are a wonderful colour; It is a beautiful plant,' was the summary of their views. Deep reddish-orange buds open to reveal long, tubular flowers, each around 6-7cm (2.3-2.75in) long. The same reddish-orange is on the outside of the petals and a paler yellow-orange on the inside. The overall impression is of vivid orange and so the name ‘Mandarin’ is very appropriate.
Flowering begins in late May and continues into early September. The young leaves have attractive coppery tints and new stems are flushed with purple. By flowering time the foliage is glossy and dark and sets the flowers off well.
This is a strong growing, robust plant which can add 1.8m (6ft) of growth in one season and can reach 5.5m (18ft) in height. Fortunately the height can be restricted by regular winter pruning. ‘Mandarin’ is happy in most well-drained to moist soils and in partial shade or full sun.
Interestingly, this Lonicera received its AGM in spite of the fact that it has no scent, and fails to produce the red berries as seen on so many other honeysuckles. The flowering display is so impressive that it still deserves its award.
‘Mandarin’ was raised at the University of British Columbia by Dr Wilf Nicholls who in 1989 crossed Lonicera tragophylla with Lonicera × brownii 'Dropmore Scarlet'. The seedling named ‘Mandarin’ first flowered in 1991.