Top 10 climbing plants – Honeysuckle

Posted May 14, 2011 by admin in Blog | No comments yet

Number three in our top ten of climbing plants we are including the ever popular Honeysuckle

The Honeysuckle is a rapid climber and energy filled  plant that can quickly provide cover over any obstacles such as a fence structure, featured tree stumps, pergolas or archways. The Honeysuckle produce an aromatic and pungent smell which is released via the golden coloured buds, which when not closed, show fragile petals of a white colour. There are many varieties of honeysuckle available, such as ‘fragrant honeysuckle’ and various colours to choose in existence.

Height: To 6 metres
Flowers: May – June/July
Family: Lonicera

With its cartwheel shape of a sizeable nature, the heads of the honeysuckle flower consist of circles as tube shaped single flowers, opening in a cream colour, changing to a yellow appearance. The plant enjoys a flowering period over much of the summer months and can be trained easily, making them a suitable choice for beginner gardeners. Honeysuckles are also quite sturdy and are not susceptible to  problems caused by many diseases or pests.

The honeysuckle consists of two different types. Firstly the climbers, who enjoy a moist bed of soil that offers good drainage, these will produce flowers successfully when the top parts are flourishing within full sunlight. Secondly, shrubby honeysuckles may be cultivated within any soil that is well drained either in shaded parts of the garden or full sunlight.

Honeysuckles can be at risk from a mildew led environment which can exist in a dry summertime period, so to ensure infection does not set in, place plentiful amounts of organic material within the soil when planting. During spring ensure that the plants are bordered with a substantial amount of mulch coating.

The Honeysuckle can thrive within a sunny area or contained by a garden which has some shade and it enjoys different types of soil and sandy planting. During the period of April to June, you can take cuttings as required. To sum up, this plant species is easy to grow, tolerant of many soil conditions and only requires light maintanance.