Lonicera periclymenum

RHS Plant Profile
common honeysuckle

Other common names

bearbind, eglantine, wild honeysuckle, woodbine, gwyddfid

Plants for pollinators
Climber Wall Shrub

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

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Caprifoliaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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