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