Coral Red Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)

Coral Red honeysuckle or Lonicera sempervirens is the honeysuckle you want – I mean really want– not the other kind. You probably have honeysuckle somewhere near you right now. It’s white, smells pretty good, and it may even be right behind you as you read this, don’t look!

Lonicera japonica knows you are there, it’s waiting to spread and take over everything when you aren’t looking – or even when you are it really doesn’t matter! That honeysuckle that fills the air with it’s heady fragrance isn’t from around here. That honeysuckle is an oversea immigrant (from Asia) that is naturalizing itself and pushing out it’s American cousin Lonicera sempervirens.

Don’t encourage the foreign invader, instead plant the native honeysuckle! The only thing it lacks is the fragrance of the foreign flower. Hummingbirds love coral red honeysuckle, it looks great, it’s very tame, and isn’t hard to propagate if you want more.

Don’t get me wrong, I like the scent of Lonicera japonica just as well as anyone but the problem is it just doesn’t know any limits. It’s kind of like another foreign vine you might be familiar with named kudzu – AKA “the vine that ate the south”. You wouldn’t plant kudzu would you?

Why should you plant Lonicera sempervirens?

1. It’s a native to the United States
2. It’s coral red flowers attracts and feeds hummingbirds.
3. Lush green foliage when not in bloom.
4. Doesn’t become invasive.
5. Works well on fences, trellises, and arbors.

Below are all the details you need to know for growing guide for Lonicera sempervirens (Trumpet Honeysuckle):

• Common Name: Trumpet Honeysuckle
• Botanical Name: Lonicera sempervirens
• Sunlight Needs: Prefers full sun for best flowering but can tolerate partial shade. Full sun exposure promotes more vibrant blooms.
• Watering Needs: Regular watering, especially in the first growing season. It prefers moist, well-drained soil but is relatively drought-tolerant once established.
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4 to 9. Lonicera sempervirens can withstand a variety of climates, from cold winters to warmer southern regions.
• Soil Preferences: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-7.5). It does best in well-drained, sandy, loamy, or clay soils.
• Growth Habit: This is a twining vine that can grow up to 15-20 feet, making it ideal for trellises, fences, or arbors.
• Planting Benefits:
  • Pollinator Attraction: Highly attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees due to its tubular flowers.
  • Wildlife Benefits: Birds, including cardinals and cedar waxwings, are drawn to its bright red berries in the fall.
• Deer Resistance: Lonicera sempervirens is deer-resistant, as deer don’t enjoy eating the foliage.
• Bloom Time: Late spring through summer. It often repeat blooms into early fall.
• Flower Colors: Typically red or orange-red tubular flowers, sometimes with a yellow throat. The color makes it attractive for hummingbirds!
• Pruning: Light pruning after flowering can promote bushier growth and more blooms. Hard pruning can be done in late winter or early spring to control its size. Pruned off cuttings can be used to propagate more honeysuckle (links to GTHG video on Propagating Honeysuckle.)
• Disease/Pest Resistance: Fairly resistant to pests and diseases, though aphids or powdery mildew may occasionally occur in humid conditions.
• Native Habitat: Found in woodlands, edges of forests, and fields in the eastern U.S.
• Support for Native Ecosystems: Planting native honeysuckle helps prevent the spread of invasive honeysuckle species like Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle), which can outcompete native plants.

This honeysuckle is an amazing plant for gardeners looking to support native wildlife and pollinators. The only downside is it doesn’t have the fragrance that the invasive types have.

How can you propagate Coral Red honeysuckle?

Greenwood cuttings taken in late spring and early summer after flower bloom are finished. For more on cuttings please read this post.

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