Coral Honeysuckle
Location
Native Plants
Lonicera sempervirens
- Common name: Coral honeysuckle, trumpet honeysuckle, scarlet honeysuckle, woodbine
- Scientific name: Lonicera sempervirens
- Family name: Caprifoliaceae
- Origin: Eastern North America
- Height: 10-20 ft
- Width: 3-6 ft
- Growth: Fast
- Zone: 4-10a
- Light needs: Full sun – Part shade
- Salt tolerance: Moderate
- Soil/pH/Texture: Moist, well-drained, loamy soil, acidic to alkaline (pH 6.0-8.0)
- Moisture: Moderate water needs, water regularly until established
- Drought tolerance: Moderate
- Pests/Diseases: Resistant to most pests and diseases – aphids may be a minor problem
- Growing conditions: Does well in most soil types, except for dry sands. Grows best in sunny areas – it won’t flower with too much shade. As it is a fast-growing vine, it may require some training to control growth. A trellis or arbor will encourage more vertical growth.
- Characteristics: Fast-growing, spreading vine with simple, smooth, ovate leaves arranged oppositely. Flowers are tubular (trumpet-shaped), coral-red, and grow in clusters. New growth is smooth, green, and slightly fuzzy, and begins to turn brown and flaky with age. Fruit is dark red or black, small, and inedible.
- Propagation: By cuttings or by seeds
- Wildlife: Flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The berries are eaten by birds. It is a larval host for the Spring Azure butterfly and the Snowberry Clearwing moth.
- Facts: The plant has been used for its medicinal properties – a decoction of the leaves is used to treat bee stings and sore throats. It is highly flammable, so it is not recommended to plant it close to residences.
- Designer considerations: Good for vertical cover on a trellis or arbor. It is also a good choice for butterfly gardens or for a walkway plant. Note that due to its flammability, it should not be planted very close to residences.
