The best-known evergreen representative of the honeysuckle family is the evergreen honeysuckle, which is also known as Lonicera henryi. What does it look like and what requirements does it have for location and care?
What does the evergreen honeysuckle look like and what care does it need?
The evergreen honeysuckle (Lonicera henryi) is characterized by dark green, shiny leaves and, as a climbing plant, offers year-round privacy. It prefers partially shaded, protected locations and requires regular watering and occasional thinning for optimal growth and branching.
A perfect privacy screen even in winter
The advantage of the evergreen honeysuckle is, above all, its evergreen foliage. It looks good even in the otherwise dreary winter and brings fresh green to bare, gray and empty house walls, fences, tree trunks etc.
A quick alternative to ivy and co
Whether for wall greening, separation or as a privacy screen, the evergreen honeysuckle is a good alternative to ivy and the like. It has medium growth and climbs new terrain of up to 60 cm per year. Overall, it can reach a height of up to 8 m (in exceptional cases up to 10 m) and be up to 3 m wide.
External features: leaves, flowers and fruits
The leaves of this species have the following characteristics:
- dark green
- shiny
- elliptical
- curl up in dry winter
- can fall off
- Re-sprout in spring if necessary
The flowers are generally not very noticeable. They are present from June to July and are yellow-red in color. If you want showy flowers, choose a different type! The fruits that emerge from the flowers are pea-sized, berry-like and blue-black. Be careful: they are extremely poisonous!
Location requirements: sunny to partially shaded, moist
There are locations for the evergreen honeysuckle both outdoors and in pots. Partially shaded, protected and mild locations are best suited. This plant can sometimes thrive in the shade. But there she goes bald faster.
How do you care for the evergreen honeysuckle?
This fast-growing climbing plant should be thinned out from time to time. This also promotes branching. The best time for this is in spring. Severe pruning can also be done if the hardy plant is bare. In addition, watering is important at any time of the year.
Tips & Tricks
The evergreen honeysuckle and Lonicera ligustrina var. pileata also have evergreen foliage. However, due to their demands, they are rarely offered in local stores.
