Lonicera japonica
Japanese honeysuckle
A vigorous, woody, evergreen or semi-evergreen twining climber about 10m tall, with dark green leaves to 8cm long, deeply lobed on young growth. Tubular 2-lipped, very fragrant, purple-flushed, white flowers, age to yellow, and are produced in pairs from the leaf axils, over a long season from spring to late summer, followed by blue-black berries
Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White Purple Yellow | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | White Purple Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | Blue Black | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen or Semi evergreen
- Habit
- Climbing
- Potentially harmful
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- Genus
Lonicera can be deciduous and evergreen shrubs, or climbers with twining stems. The tubular or two-lipped flowers, often very fragrant, are followed by red or black berries
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- China Manchuria Japan Korea
How to grow
Cultivation
This plant is listed on Schedule 9 of the UK Wildlife & Countryside Act (Northern Ireland) as an invasive non-native species. Although not banned from sale, it is an offence to plant or cause these to grow in the wild IN NORTHERN IRELAND. Gardeners possessing them should undertake measures to control them. See RHS advice on invasive non-native species for further information Climbing honeysuckle grows best in partial shade but tolerates full sun, and thrives in any fertile, moist but well-drained soil. See honeysuckle (climbing) cultivation
Propagation
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Climber and wall shrubs
- Hedging and screens
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Pruning group 11 in early spring. Renovate in late winter or early spring by cutting back all stems to within 60cm of the base
Pests
May be susceptible to honeysuckle aphids, Thrips and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, fungal leaf spot, silver leaf and honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
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