You are my honey honeysuckle I am the vine……

Woodbine (not the cigarette) is an old colloquial name for Honeysuckle the mainstay of the Lonicera family. It is a favourite of English hedgerows and now there are many varieties grown for colour and scent in a garden setting

Tips for growing Honeysuckle

• • A twining, climbing plant most honeysuckles need some support as they shoot skywards for up to 30 feet. Try trellis or and old tree for support.
  • Most varieties of the honeysuckle are famous for the scent of the flowers which is sweet and powerful. Aim for a red Lonicera tellmanniana or L.fragrantisima rather than the Belgica.
  • Left to trail the plants can still be effective in a semi woodland enviroment
  • Lonicera nitida  honeysuckle can be pruned and shaped like topiary. I can recommend Baggesen’s Gold a small yellow leaved variety.

• Plants root easily from summer cuttings. I have a plant that has moved house at least 5 times.

I really like sweetly scented honeysuckle and couldn’t resist this picture of a late bud in my garden.

Top Honeysuckle Tips

• This tall growing, twining plant with fragrant blossom has an easy going habit.
• They work well in an informal hedge and can often be found in countryside hedgerows
• Cuttings root easily and I have a plant that has moved with me from many houses since my great aunt gave me a plant 45 years ago.
• Also called woodbine – do not try to smoke it (an old fag joke)