Lonicera sempervirens
A native, semi-evergreen to deciduous twining vine with scarlet to coral red tubular flowers and bright yellow throats that attract hummingbirds and other pollinators, ideal for growing up fences, arches, or trellises.
Common Names
Coral Honeysuckle, Trumpet Honeysuckle, Woodbine, Honeysuckle
Summary
Coral honeysuckle, or trumpet honeysuckle, is a vigorous twining vine native to the eastern United States. It grows about 8–20 feet tall and 3–6 feet wide, climbs on fences, arbors, or trellises, and bears red tubular flowers with yellow throats from spring into summer, often in clusters at branch tips; nectar-rich blooms attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. Red ornamental berries appear later and attract birds; berries are not edible.
Hardy in USDA zones 4–9, it is semi-evergreen to evergreen depending on climate. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soils, though tolerates a range including clay and loam. Propagation is easily achieved by cuttings or layering; after flowering, pruning maintains vigor. Cultivars include Sulphurea, Magnifica, Superba, and John Clayton.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
120-240 inches
Spread
3-5 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4-9
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally Full Sun, tolerates Partial Sun, Partial Shade, and Full Shade
Soil Type
Moist, well-drained soil
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil
Soil pH
5.0-8.0, not pH sensitive, tolerates acidic to alkaline soils
Bloom Color
Red
Bloom Time
Spring through Fall (April–September)
Foliage Color
Blue-green
Fall Foliage Color
No fall color change; leaves evergreen with blue-green color year-round.
Leaf Lifecycle
Semi-deciduous
Growth Rate
vigorous growth
Seasons of Interest
Spring and Summer
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Layering
Attracts Wildlife
Bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, moths (other pollinators), and birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- L.
- Publication
- Sp. Pl. : 173 (1753)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Dipsacales
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Genus
- Lonicera
Synonyms
Kantemon angustifolium Lonicera magnevilleae Lonicera caroliniana Lonicera coccinea Lonicera connata Lonicera speciosa Lonicera virginiana Alaternus sempervirens Caprifolium sempervirens Lonicera sempervirens var. sempervirens Phenianthus sempervirens Periclymenum sempervirens Phenianthus semperivens Lonicera sempervirens var. caroliniana Lonicera sempervirens var. major Lonicera sempervirens var. minor Lonicera sempervirens var. virginiana Lonicera flammea Lonicera sempervirens var. hirsutula