Honeysuckles, classified under the genus Lonicera in the family Caprifoliaceae, are cherished for their fragrant, tubular blooms that enhance landscapes. Native to temperate regions of North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa, these plants thrive in diverse habitats like woodlands, hillsides, and wetlands. Their blossoms, appearing mainly in spring or summer, draw pollinators such as hummingbirds and bees, playing a key role in the ecosystems of their native ranges. Honeysuckles are valued for their ornamental beauty and ecological contributions.
The foliage of Lonicera species varies, with leaves typically oval, sometimes glossy or hairy, adapted to their native climates. In North American regions, deciduous leaves are common, shedding seasonally, while in milder Asian climates, some species retain evergreen foliage. This diversity supports their growth across varied conditions, from sunny European slopes to shaded North African forests, providing a lush backdrop to their vibrant blooms.
In landscaping, Lonicera plants are versatile, thriving in full sun or partial shade, making them ideal for trellises, hedges, or naturalized settings in their native temperate zones. Their ability to climb or form dense shrubs suits various garden designs, from formal to wild. Gardeners value their hardiness and low-maintenance nature, particularly in North American and European climates, where they blend beauty with functionality.
Despite their appeal, caution is needed when planting honeysuckles outside their native ranges, as some Lonicera species can spread aggressively, disrupting local ecosystems. In their native areas, they remain a cornerstone of biodiversity, supporting pollinators and enhancing soil health.
Honeysuckle
Common Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum)
Native to Europe and parts of Asia, common honeysuckle, or woodbine, is a deciduous climbing vine growing up to 20 feet. Its creamy-white to yellow flowers, often pink-tinged, bloom from June to August, exuding a strong fragrance, especially at night. Red berries follow, attracting birds. It thrives in partial shade and is ideal for cottage gardens but can naturalize in some areas.
Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)
Originating from East Asia (China, Japan, Korea), this vigorous, semi-evergreen vine grows up to 30 feet, with white to yellow flowers blooming from spring to fall. Highly fragrant, it’s a garden favorite but highly invasive in North America, Australia, and Europe, outcompeting native plants. Its black berries are spread by birds, requiring careful management.
Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
Native to eastern and southeastern North America, trumpet honeysuckle is a non-invasive, deciduous to semi-evergreen vine reaching 12–20 feet. Its scarlet to orange tubular flowers bloom from spring to summer, attracting hummingbirds. Red berries appear in fall. It prefers full sun and is perfect for trellises or arbors in native gardens.
Amur Honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii)
Native to East Asia (China, Korea, Japan), this deciduous shrub grows 6–20 feet tall with white to yellow flowers in late spring and red berries in late fall. Widely introduced for ornamental use, it’s highly invasive in North America, forming dense thickets that shade out native plants. Its hollow stems aid identification.
Tartarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica)
Hailing from Central Asia and southern Russia, this deciduous shrub reaches 6–10 feet, with pink or white flowers blooming in May–June, followed by red berries. Introduced in North America in the 1750s, it’s invasive, outcompeting natives in forests and fields. Its hollow pith distinguishes it from native species.
Morrow’s Honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii)
Native to Japan, Morrow’s honeysuckle is a deciduous shrub growing 6–8 feet, with white to yellow flowers in spring and red berries in summer. Invasive in North America, it hybridizes with Tartarian honeysuckle, forming dense stands that harm native flora. Its hairy leaves and hollow stems are key identifiers.
Bell’s Honeysuckle (Lonicera × bella)
A hybrid of Tartarian and Morrow’s honeysuckles, Bell’s honeysuckle is a deciduous shrub reaching 5–20 feet, with pink to white flowers in spring and red berries. Invasive in North America, particularly in the Midwest, it forms thickets in forests and wetlands, outcompeting natives. Its sparse leaf hairs help distinguish it.
Winter Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima)
Native to China, this deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub grows 6–10 feet, bearing highly fragrant, creamy-white flowers in late winter to early spring. Red berries follow. Popular for hedges, it’s less invasive than other Asian species but still requires monitoring in North America. It thrives in full sun or partial shade.
Box Honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida)
Native to China, box honeysuckle (now often Lonicera ligustrina var. yunnanensis) is an evergreen shrub growing 5–8 feet, with small, glossy leaves and inconspicuous creamy flowers. Used for hedging or topiary, it’s non-invasive and a boxwood alternative in Zones 7–9. It prefers well-drained soil and partial shade.
Gold Flame Honeysuckle (Lonicera × heckrottii ‘Gold Flame’)
A hybrid of North American origin, this semi-evergreen vine grows 10–20 feet, with pink and peach flowers blooming through summer, followed by red berries. Its strong fragrance and vibrant colors make it a garden favorite. Non-invasive, it’s ideal for arbors in Zones 5–9, preferring full sun.
Dropmore Scarlet Honeysuckle (Lonicera × brownii ‘Dropmore Scarlet’)
A hybrid of L. sempervirens and L. hirsuta, this deciduous vine, native to North America, grows 8–12 feet with vivid orange-scarlet flowers from mid-summer to fall. Cold-hardy in Zones 4–7, it’s less vigorous than other vines and non-invasive, perfect for trellises or fences, attracting hummingbirds.
Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea)
Native to northern Europe, Asia, and North America, honeyberry is a deciduous shrub growing 3–6 feet, with small, white-yellow flowers and edible blue berries. Unlike most honeysuckles, its fruit is grown commercially as “hascap.” Non-invasive, it thrives in cold climates (Zones 2–7) and prefers full sun.
Limber Honeysuckle (Lonicera dioica)
Native to North America, particularly the Midwest and Northeast, this deciduous vine grows 6–10 feet, with pale orange to red flowers in spring and red berries in summer. Non-invasive, it’s ideal for native gardens, supporting pollinators like butterflies in sunny or partially shaded areas.
Grape Honeysuckle (Lonicera reticulata)
Native to northern and central North America, including Missouri, this deciduous vine grows 6–12 feet, with pale yellow flowers in spring and red, grape-like berry clusters in summer. Non-invasive, it suits trellises in sunny woodlands or gardens, attracting hummingbirds and birds in Zones 4–7.
species), continuing from the previous list, each summarized in a short paragraph. These include both vines and shrubs, native to various temperate regions, with a focus on their unique traits, native origins, and ecological considerations, such as invasiveness where applicable.
Northern Bush Honeysuckle (Lonicera villosa)
Native to North America, particularly in Canada and the northern U.S., this low-growing deciduous shrub reaches 2–4 feet, bearing creamy-white to pale yellow tubular flowers in late spring. Its blue-black berries are a food source for wildlife. Non-invasive, it thrives in moist, shady woodlands and is ideal for native gardens in Zones 3–6.
Fly Honeysuckle (Lonicera xylosteum)
Originating from Europe and western Asia, fly honeysuckle is a deciduous shrub growing 3–10 feet tall, with pairs of creamy-white to pinkish flowers in spring, followed by red berries. While ornamental, it can be invasive in parts of North America, forming dense thickets. It prefers partial shade and is used in hedges in Zones 4–7.
Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera flava)
Native to the southeastern U.S., coral honeysuckle is a deciduous to semi-evergreen vine growing 10–15 feet, with clusters of yellow-orange to coral tubular flowers blooming in spring to early summer. Non-invasive, it attracts hummingbirds and butterflies and is perfect for arbors in full sun, thriving in Zones 5–8.
Italian Honeysuckle (Lonicera caprifolium)
Native to southern Europe and western Asia, this deciduous climbing vine reaches 10–20 feet, producing fragrant, creamy-white to pink flowers in late spring to summer. Its red berries attract birds. Less invasive than Japanese honeysuckle, it’s still monitored in some regions. It thrives in full sun to partial shade in Zones 5–9.
Manchurian Honeysuckle (Lonicera ruprechtiana)
Native to East Asia, including China and Russia, this deciduous shrub grows 6–12 feet, with white to pale yellow flowers in early summer, followed by red berries. Less common in cultivation, it’s non-invasive and valued for its hardiness in cold climates (Zones 3–7). It prefers well-drained soils and full sun.
Hairy Honeysuckle (Lonicera hirsuta)
Native to northeastern North America, hairy honeysuckle is a deciduous vine growing 6–12 feet, with yellow-orange flowers in early summer and red berries in fall. Its hairy leaves distinguish it. Non-invasive, it’s ideal for native woodland gardens, attracting pollinators in Zones 4–7, and prefers partial shade.
Swamp Fly Honeysuckle (Lonicera oblongifolia)
Native to wetlands in eastern North America, this deciduous shrub grows 3–6 feet, with small, pale yellow to white flowers in spring and red berries in summer. Non-invasive, it thrives in moist, boggy soils, making it suitable for wetland restoration or shaded native gardens in Zones 3–6.