Evergreen honeysuckle

Synonyms: evergreen caprifol, evergreen Lonicera, Lonicera sempervirens L. var. hirsutula Rehder, Lonicera sempervirens L. var. Sempervirens, Phenianthus sempervirens (L.) Raf., Lonicera sempervirens L. var. minor Aiton

Evergreen honeysuckle (Lonícera sempervirens) – a popular species of the genus Lonicera (family Caprifoliaceae). Native to North America. Introduced into cultivation in 1686.

It is a tall climbing shrub with glabrous shoots, reaching up to 3 m in length. Shoots glabrous. Leaves elliptic or ovate to oblong, leathery, 3-8 cm long and 1.5-5 cm wide. Upper surface smooth, dark green; lower surface bluish-gray, often with soft pubescence; evergreen. One or two pairs of leaves often fuse into an oblong or round disc on which the inflorescences are borne.

Flowers large, sessile, borne in groups of three on long peduncles in terminal racemose inflorescences, red or orange-red, more rarely yellow, scentless. The corolla reaches 4-5 cm in length. The style and stamens slightly protrude beyond the limb. Flowers from May to September.

Berries small, pea-sized, scarlet-red.

Forms: f. superba Re gel (superba – with more brightly red flowers and larger leaves), f. sulphurea J a q. (var. flava R e g e 1) (sulphurea – with yellow flowers).

Cultivars: "Magnifica" (flowers red outside and yellow inside), "Sulphurea" (flowers yellow), "Superba" (flowers bright scarlet).

Hardiness zone: 3-9. During winter slight freezing of shoots is possible, which then quickly recover.

Position: not demanding regarding soil, undemanding. Grows well on moist, loose, fertile soils under the canopy of tall trees, but not in deep shade. Optimal soil pH 7.5 - 8.5. Performs poorly on poor sandy and heavy waterlogged soils. Can grow in full 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 trunks, which encourages active formation of new suckering shoots. 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 to late autumn. Recommended spacing between plants 1.5-2 m. Soil mix: topsoil, humus, peat or sand in a ratio of 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 bushes the depth and diameter of the hole reach 50 cm. To set fruit, plant at least 3-5 bushes of different cultivars. At planting you can add 5-7 kg of manure, 50-80 g of superphosphate and 40-50 g of potassium salt per plant. 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). With weak growth of young plants a foliar feed is recommended (0.1% urea, 1% superphosphate, 0.5% potassium chloride). Responds well to summer overhead watering of the crown. In autumn wood ash can be incorporated 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 (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 vertical greening of trellises, building walls, balconies and other structures.