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Honeysuckle Wikimedia Commons
Caprifoliaceae

Honeysuckle

Lonicera

Devoted affection, bonds of love, sweet beginnings.

Family
Caprifoliaceae
Genus
Lonicera
Native to
Northern Hemisphere
Bloom season
Late Spring, Summer
Type
deciduous or evergreen vine or shrub
Height
1–10 m
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade
Soil
Average, well-drained
Water
Moderate
Hardiness
4–9
Lifespan
Perennial

Did you know

  • Honeysuckle flowers produce a sweet drop of nectar that children have pulled from the base of the bloom to taste for generations — it's the original 'honey suckle.'
  • Honeysuckle releases its strongest fragrance at night, attracting hawk moths that hover like tiny hummingbirds to feed.
  • There are around 180 species of honeysuckle worldwide; some, like Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), have become invasive in North America.
  • In traditional Chinese medicine, honeysuckle (jin yin hua) has been used for over 1,000 years to treat fevers, sore throats, and inflammation.
  • Shakespeare mentions honeysuckle (which he calls 'woodbine') in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' as part of Titania's bower.

Uses

  • Ornamental
  • Fragrance gardens
  • Traditional medicine
  • Wildlife habitat