Shrubby honeysuckle

RHS Genus Guide

Shrubby honeysuckles (Lonicera) are well suited to a woodland garden, with their sometimes scented flowers, attractive autumn fruit and unkempt habit. Plant early-flowering bulbs under shrubby honeysuckles for a late winter pick-me-up. Evergreen forms are suitable for creating low-growing hedges.

Botanical name: Lonicera

Appearance

Deciduous or evergreen, shrubby honeysuckles can be upright and sprawling or compact and low-growing. Small delicate flowers (often with fine fragrance) are mainly produced in winter or spring, and are generally creamy-white (some are pink, lilac or yellow).

Preferences

Shrubby honeysuckles will grow in most soil types but ideally they prefer free draining soil, in sun or partial shade.

Dislikes

These shrubs will not thrive on very heavy, waterlogged ground or in soil that is excessively dry. They seldom flower in deep shade.

Did you know?

Low-growing evergreen Lonicera ligustrina var.yunnanensisandLonicera ligustrina var. pileata (until recently Lonicera nitida) are often used as alternatives to box (Buxus) where box blight is likely to be a problem. Regular clipping will restrict flowering.

RHS Growing Guide