Lonicera henryi

Henry’s honeysuckle is a vigorous, evergreen climber of Chinese origin. It was not believed to be hardy enough for Central European climate, yet trials proved the opposite so apart from ivies we get another evergreen climber of different leaf shape.

Henry's honeysuckle is cultivated mainly for its large, lance-shaped, mid green leaves that are reliable evergreen and have burgundy red shades as they emerge, and in winter. They are only slightly glossy in dry weather and get very glossy when wet. Flowers are not as showy as on other flowering honeysuckles. They are 2-lipped, pale red with yellow throat, and come out in early summer. They are followed by black berries. Being a botanical species, not a selected variety, individual plants may vary in flower colour - some might be orange, some even golden yellow, i.e., not all plants develop red shades in their flowers.

It needs humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or part shade. This honeysuckle will vine around provided support and if it fails to find any, its branches will grow one on top of another forming an irregular shrub. When choosing its future support bear in mind that it gets very heavy when mature. Prune it after flowering if you are looking for a smaller, denser plant. It is hardy to min. -30°C (USDA zone 5), and withstands exposed locations.

Last update 16-01-2017