The Honeysuckle family is incredibly diverse when it comes to growth habits and shapes, so it’s totally normal for home gardeners to feel a little overwhelmed! One standout variety is the Evergreen Honeysuckle, known botanically as *Lonicera henryi*.
Is every honeysuckle evergreen?
Actually, no! While some varieties stay lush and green all year long (like our friend the Evergreen Honeysuckle), others drop their leaves when autumn rolls around. A classic example of a deciduous type is the Common Honeysuckle, often called Woodbine or *Lonicera caprifolium*.
Where is the best spot to plant Evergreen Honeysuckle?
Unlike many of its cousins, the Evergreen Honeysuckle actually prefers a location with partial to full shade. It loves nutrient-rich soil that ranges from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline. Whether your garden has sandy or clay-heavy soil, this plant will be happy as long as the ground stays fresh and moist. It even does great in containers!
Does Evergreen Honeysuckle grow fast?
It sure does! Even within a genus known for being speedy, the Evergreen Honeysuckle is a real track star. You can expect it to put on about 24 to 28 inches of new growth per year. Just keep in mind that it needs a trellis or some kind of support to climb; without one, it will just crawl along the ground. Technically speaking, it’s not a climbing plant in the traditional sense—it’s a “twining” vine that wraps itself around whatever it can find.
How big does Evergreen Honeysuckle get?
If you give it a tall enough support system, this vine can reach heights of up to 25 feet! Most plants usually settle in somewhere between 13 and 20 feet tall. Once it’s fully mature, you can expect it to spread about 5 to 8 feet wide.
Quick Facts at a Glance:
- Very fast-growing
- Winter hardy
- Location: Partial shade to full shade
- Soil: Fresh to moist, nutrient-rich, sandy to loamy, slightly acidic to slightly alkaline
- Height: 13 to 25 feet
- Width: 5 to 8 feet
- Bloom time: June to July
- Flowers: Trumpet-shaped, yellow or red, lightly fragrant
- Fruit: Black berries (Note: these are poisonous!)
Pro Tip: The trumpet-shaped flowers of the Evergreen Honeysuckle are only about an inch long, but their delicate scent is a magnet for beneficial insects and pollinators!
