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Climber Wall Shrub

Lonicera periclymenum
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

common honeysuckle

Vigorous, twining woody, deciduous climber about 7m tall, with paired, oval mid-green leaves, greyish beneath. Very fragrant, 2-lipped, tubular, white to creamy white flowers, flushed reddish-purple on the outside are 5cm long, open in mid and late summer, followed by glossy, red berries

Other common names
bearbind
eglantine
see morewild honeysuckle
woodbine
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Size
Ultimate height
4–8 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
2.5–4 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer White Cream Yellow Green
Autumn Green Red
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Caprifoliaceae
Native to the UK
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
Potentially harmful
Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
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
Europe, N Africa, SW Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Occurs naturally in woodland, scrub or hedgerow; the evening scent of the flowers attracts pollinating moths. Grows best in partial shade but tolerates full sun, and thrives in any fertile, moist but well-drained soil. See Honeysuckle (Climbing) cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by layering

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Climber and wall shrubs
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

Pruning group 11 after flowering, but no pruning required in a wildlife garden

Pests

May be susceptible to honeysuckle aphids, thrips and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, leaf spot (fungal) and silver leaf

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