Climbing honeysuckle

Synonyms: climbing caprifolium, Lonicera climbing, German honeysuckle, German caprifolium

Climbing honeysuckle (Lonícera periclymenum) – an ornamental species of the genus Lonicera (family Caprifoliaceae). In nature it grows in shrub thickets, in deciduous floodplain and mixed forests and at forest edges in Central and Western Europe, in North Africa, and also in Asia Minor.

It is a climbing deciduous shrub reaching 4-6 m in height. The plant is fast-growing, annual increment 120-170 cm. Unlike common caprifolium it does not have fused leaves at the shoot tips. Root system is taproot-type, sensitive to compaction.

Leaves opposite, 4-10 cm long, borne on short petioles, upper ones not fused to each other, sessile. Leaf blade ovate-lanceolate, elliptic or obovate. Upper surface of the leaf dark green, underside bluish-gray.

Flowers yellow-pink, white or purple, up to 5 cm long, gathered in a leafless head, borne on short peduncles, strongly fragrant, the scent is especially noticeable in the evening. Blooms for 15-20 days, in the 2nd-3rd year after planting, in May-June (June-August). Blooms on the current year's shoots. Fruits inedible (slightly poisonous), pea-sized, bright red, clustered in head-like infructescences. Fruits ripen in August. Fruits appear in the 4th-5th year after planting.

Forms: f.aurea, f belgica.

Cultivars: Harleguin, Minister, Graham Thomas, Serotina, Belgica

Hardiness zone: 5b. During winter slight frost damage to shoots is possible, which then quickly recover.

Site: not demanding regarding soil, undemanding. Grows well on moist, loose and fertile soils under the canopy of tall trees, but not in shade. Optimal soil acidity pH 7.5 - 8.5. Performs poorly on poor sandy and heavy wet soils. Can grow in sun and partial shade, in a well-ventilated location.

Pruning: recommended in autumn (after leaf fall) or early spring (March). Every 2-3 years rejuvenation pruning and thinning of the crown is necessary. Remove old and small branches, leaving no more than 5 strong stems, while new suckering shoots are actively produced. After 6-7 years only sanitary pruning is required.

Planting: Transplants well. Planting is recommended in late autumn. Plants with a closed root system can be planted from spring until late autumn. Recommended spacing between plants 1.5-2 m. Soil mix: topsoil, humus, peat or sand in the ratio 3:1:1. Root collar at ground level. Planting hole depth 25-30 cm, diameter 25 cm for 2-3 year old bushes; for 5-7 year old plants the depth and diameter of the hole reach 50 cm. To set fruit it is necessary to plant at least 3-5 bushes of different cultivars. At planting you can add 5-7 kg of manure, 50-80 g superphosphate and 40-50 g potassium salt per bush. Drainage layer of broken brick or gravel 5-7 cm thick.

Care: In early spring you can apply mineral fertilizer (20-30 g/m²). Before flowering you can apply liquid Kemira-Universal (20 g per 10 l of water). For weak growth of young plants foliar feeding is recommended (0.1% urea, 1% superphosphate, 0.5% potassium chloride). Responds well to summer overhead watering of the crown. In autumn you can apply wood ash when digging (100-200 g/m²). Watering moderate, 2-3 times per season, in hot weather 8-10 l per plant. Without watering bitterness may appear in the fruits. It is recommended to remove weeds by loosening the soil to the depth of a spade blade (20-25 cm). Mulch with peat around the plants in a layer of 3-5 cm.

Diseases and pests: practically not affected by diseases or pests.

Propagation: seeds are 100% viable. Summer cuttings root completely.

Uses: used for creating hedges, can form an arch or pergola, decorate a wall or a slope.