Lonicera

DESCRIPTION: This group consists of about 180, evergreen and deciduous, woody climbers and shrubs, commonly known as Honeysuckle. They are valued for their pretty flowers, which are sweetly scented, and their decorative fruits, which birds find delectable. The climbing Honeysuckles are suitable for growing over a trellis, arch, or pergola, while the shrubby kind are great for growing in borders and rock gardens, and as hedges. Their trumpet-shaped flowers are borne from late winter or early spring to late summer and range in color from cream and light yellow to vivid scarlet and purplish-rose. They are followed by pretty fruits that may be white, yellow, orange, red, blue, and black. L. americana is a gorgeous, deciduous climber that can reach a height of 30 feet. In mid-summer, a profusion of 2-inch long, sweetly scented flowers are produced in whorls at the ends of the shoots. They are white at first, turning to a light yellow and then gradually a deeper shade, heavily stained with purplish-pink outside. L. giraldii is an evergreen climber with fuzzy stems that grow 61/2 feet long. They are covered with downy leaves, which are heart-shaped at the base. In early to mid-summer, terminal clusters of purplish-red flowers are borne; they have yellow stamens and yellowish down on the outside. The flowers are followed by purplish-black berries. L. japonica variety Aureoreticulata (Yellow-net Honeysuckle) is a form with small, bright green leaves, which are conspicuously marked with golden-net veining. L. periclymenum (Woodbine Honeysuckle) is a zealous, medium-sized, deciduous climber that produces 2-inch long flowers throughout the summer. They have a purplish or yellowish outside and creamy colored inside, darkening with age. The blossoms are followed by red berries in early fall. L. involucrata (Twinberry) is a deciduous, medium-sized shrub that flowers in early summer. The yellow flowers are encircled by two red bracts, which persist while the glossy black berries form. This variety flourishes in coastal gardens and industrial areas. L. pyrenaica (Pyrenees Honeysuckle) is a deciduous shrub that grows up to 3 feet high. It is covered with small, green leaves and pendent, cream and pink flowers in late spring and early summer. They are followed by orange-red berries. L. setifera is a rare, very beautiful, medium-sized, deciduous shrub. Its bristly, erect-growing, bare stems are covered in late winter and early spring with clusters of charming, tube-shaped flowers. The fragrant, white or pink flowers are centered with yellow and have starry faces. They are followed by red, bristly berries. L. standishii is a deciduous or semi-evergreen, medium-sized shrub that flowers in the winter. The white flowers are shaded with pink and have long, conspicuous yellow anthers. They are followed by red berries in early summer. L. xylosteum variety Emerald Mound (European Fly Honeysuckle) is a dwarf shrub that is suitable for using a ground cover or low hedge. It is covered with pretty, blue-green leaves and cream-colored flowers, which are followed by bright red berries.

Pot Cultivation

These plants will live in almost any soil, though they prefer a moist loam enriched with organic matter. They will benefit from being mulched, except with manure, which promotes the growth of foliage at the expense of the flowers. Their roots should be in shade and most prefer part or even full shade, although some flower best with their heads in full sun. The stems of young plants should be shortened to encourage early branching and produce a full, bushy plant. Once this is achieved, pruning should only be done to keep the plants in bounds and to thin them out once there is a lot of old wood. This pruning should be done right after flowering; Honeysuckles that flower in late summer should be pruned in early spring. Shrubby Honeysuckles should have their old flowering shoots thinned out and cut back to within a few inches of the old wood right after flowering. Honeysuckles are susceptible to leaf curl, crown gall, and powdery mildew. Several species, especially L. tatarica, are attacked by the Russian Aphid, which causes new growth to be distorted and tassel-like. L. tatarica is also susceptible to sawflies and a leaf roller.

Propagation

Seeds or cuttings may be used to increase these plants. Seeds should be sown in early spring in two parts sandy loam and one part leaf mold. The young plants should be potted singly in small pots as soon as they are large enough to handle, and eventually out in a nursery bed. Cuttings of short side shoots about 4 inches long can be taken in August or September and inserted in a bed of sand in a closed propagating case. Roots should form in a few weeks. The new plants can be planted in a nursery bed in the spring.

L. americana

VARIETIES

• Climbing varieties - L. americana; L. brownii (Scarlet Trumpet Honeysuckle) & var. Dropmore Scarlet, Fuchsioides; L. caprifolium (Italian Honeysuckle) & var. Pauciflora; L. etrusca (Cream Honeysuckle) & var. Donald Waterer, Superba; L. giraldii; L. heckrottii (Everblooming Honeysuckle) & var. Gold Flame; L. henryi (Henry Honeysuckle); L. japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle) & var. Aureoreticulata, Halliana (Hall's Honeysuckle), Hall's Prolific, repens; L. periclymenum (Woodbine Honeysuckle) & var. Belgica (Early Dutch Honeysuckle) & Graham Thomas, Harlequin, Munster, Serotina (Late Dutch Honeysuckle); L. sempervirens (Trumpet Honeysuckle) & var. sulphurea; L. splendida; L. tellmanniana (Tellman Honeysuckle); L. tragophylla (Chinese Honeysuckle).
• Shrubby varieties - L. chaetocarpa; L. fragrantissima (Winter Honeysuckle); L. involucrata (Twinberry) & var. ledebourii; L. korolkowii (Blueleaf Honeysuckle); L. nitida (Boxleaf Honeysuckle) & var. Baggesen's Gold, Ernest Wilson; L. pileata (Privet Honeysuckle); L. purpusii; L. pyrenaica (Pyrenees Honeysuckle); L. setifer; L. standishii; L. tatarica (Tartarian Honeysuckle) & var. Arnold Red, Hack's Red, Zabelli; L. xylosteoides 'Clavey's Dwarf' & var. Miniglobe; L. xylosteum 'Emerald Mound'.