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Climber Wall Shrub

Lonicera similis var. delavayi
  • RHS AGM

Delavay honeysuckle

A semi-evergreen shrub of scandent habit, with ovate leaves white-hairy beneath, and fragrant tubular-funnel-shaped white flowers 5-6cm in length, ageing to yellow, in early autumn, followed by black berries

Synonyms
Lonicera similis 'Delavayi'

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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green
Autumn Yellow White Green Black
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Caprifoliaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
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
W China

How to grow

Cultivation

Ideal for a mild garden this honeysuckle needs to be frost-free. Grow in full sun in any moist but well-drained soil

Propagation

Propagate by layering, softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Pruning group 11 in early spring

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)

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