Honeysuckle (botanical name *Lonicera*) is a classic garden favorite found all across the Northern Hemisphere. You might know the shrubby varieties as “bush honeysuckle,” but whether they grow as a shrub or a climbing vine, most types are fairly cold-hardy.
How much frost can honeysuckle actually handle?
If you have an established plant (older than a year) planted in the ground, it should breeze through a mild winter without much trouble. The real enemy isn’t just the cold, but those biting, icy winds. That’s why picking a spot sheltered from the wind is a total game-changer. Just a heads-up: young plants aren’t quite as tough during their first winter, so they might need a little extra TLC to stay frost-free.
How do I protect my honeysuckle from the cold?
If you live in a region with harsh winters, it’s a smart move to give your honeysuckle some winter gear. The most important part to protect is the root ball. Even if the top of the plant gets a bit of frostbite, a healthy root system allows the plant to bounce back and grow new shoots in the spring. A thick layer of mulch, straw, or fallen leaves over the roots usually does the trick.
For extra insurance, you can loosely wrap the base of the plant in burlap or garden fleece. If you notice some dead tips in the spring, don’t worry—just prune them off. Pro tip: Wait until spring to do your main pruning rather than cutting back in the fall; this helps the plant handle the winter better.
What should I do with potted honeysuckle in the winter?
Young plants and potted honeysuckle are much happier if you move them to a frost-free spot. A cool greenhouse or a chilly sunroom is perfect. If your variety drops its leaves in the winter, it can stay in a dark spot. However, evergreen honeysuckles need a bright location so they don’t lose their beautiful foliage.
Quick Summary:
- Generally cold-hardy.
- Often survives mild winters without extra help.
- Water evergreen varieties on frost-free days.
- In cold climates, protect the root ball with mulch.
- Keep young and potted plants in a frost-free area if possible.
- If pots stay outside, wrap them thoroughly to insulate the roots.
Quick Tip: Remember that evergreen plants still lose moisture through their leaves in the winter. Make sure to give your honeysuckle a drink on days when the ground isn’t frozen!
