Native Honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens
Plant Characteristics:
- Duration: Perennial
- Habitat: Vine
- Root type: Tap
- Size class: 12-36 ft
- Usually 15-20ft
- Flower: 2in long
- Fruit: Red-black
- Native Habitat: Woodlands, well-drained sand, clay
- Bloom time: March-June
Growing Conditions
- Light:
- Sun, Partial Shade
- Soil:
- Moisture: Moist
- Description: various soils but rich preferred. Sandy, sandy loam, medium loam, clay loam, clay. Both lime and acidic soils are OK
- Condition comments:
- Requires light, good air circulation, and adequate drainage to prevent powdery mildew
- Some structural assistance may be necessary to help begin climbing
- Flowers best when given more sun
- Tolerate poor drainage for short periods
- Cold tolerant
Benefits:
- Ornamental:
- Good twining vine with prominent blooms for full sun
- Flowers attracts hummingbirds, bees, butterflies
- Special value to Bumble Bees
- Fruit attracts quail, purple finch, Goldfinch, Hermit Thrush, American Robin
- Medicinal
- Dried and smoked for asthma
- Leaves ground by chewing and applied to bee stings
- Leaves make a decoction for sore throats and coughs
- Conspicuous flowers
- Source of Nectar
Additional uses:
- Generally considered deer resistant
- Do not confuse this plant with Japanese Honeysuckle which is invasive