Lonicera periclymenum

woodbine

Europe (Scandinavia south to the Mediterranean), western Asia (Turkey), and North Africa (Morocco); hedgerows, woodland margins, scrub, and forest clearings from sea level to 5,000 ft (1,500 m)

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Attracts Hummingbirds Fragrant (strong)

SunPart Shade – Full Sun

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 4–9

Overview

Lonicera periclymenum is a deciduous to semi-evergreen twining vine reaching 12-20 feet (3.6-6 m) tall with a spread of 6-10 feet (1.8-3 m). The opposite ovate to elliptic leaves are 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) long, dark green above and blue-green beneath, and hold through autumn in colder zones or persist semi-evergreen in mild maritime climates. Tubular two-lipped flowers 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) long open cream-white to yellow on the interior, often flushed pink to purplish-red on the exterior, in terminal whorled clusters (rather than the paired axillary arrangement of L. japonica). Bloom runs from June through September for 10-14 weeks. Fragrance is sweet and pervasive, strongest at dusk and into the night, which draws hawk moths as pollinators. Glossy red berries 6-8 mm across ripen in tight clusters from August through September. The vine twines clockwise (dextrorse). Growth rate is moderate to fast, 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) per year once established. Powdery mildew and aphid colonies are recurring problems in warm dry conditions. The species is the traditional woodbine of European hedgerows and is recorded in botanical and literary sources from the 16th century onward. Hardy to USDA zone 4. All plant parts are toxic to pets and humans if ingested.

Native Range

Lonicera periclymenum is native to Europe, from Scandinavia south to the Mediterranean, with its range extending east into western Asia (Turkey) and south to North Africa (Morocco). It grows in hedgerows, woodland margins, scrub, and forest clearings from sea level to approximately 5,000 feet (1,500 m).

Suggested Uses

Used on trellises, arbors, pergolas, fences, and through shrubs and hedgerows in zones 4-9 at 6-8 foot (1.8-2.4 m) spacing. The evening fragrance carries to seating areas, open windows, and garden paths, and red berry clusters extend interest into autumn. Unlike the naturalized and regulated L. japonica, the species is not invasive in North America and does not self-sow aggressively. Powdery mildew and aphids persist in warm dry conditions. Foliage is toxic to pets and humans if ingested. Not suited to hot dry exposed walls, deep shade, or positions without support for the twining stems.

How to Identify

Identified by the terminal whorled flower clusters with cream-to-yellow interior and pink to purplish-red exterior, the strongly fragrant evening bloom, and the deciduous to semi-evergreen twining habit. Compared with L. japonica, flowers are carried in terminal whorls rather than in axillary pairs and the plant is deciduous rather than semi-evergreen. Compared with L. sempervirens, flower color is cream-and-pink rather than solid orange-red and the plant is fragrant rather than unscented. Compared with L. nitida cultivars, habit is climbing rather than shrubby and flowers are 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) rather than 0.2 inches (5 mm). Red berries in tight whorled clusters ripen in late summer.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height12' - 20'

Width/Spread6' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Summer Fall

Tubular two-lipped flowers 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) long in terminal whorled clusters, cream-white to yellow interior and pink to purplish-red exterior, from June through September. Fragrance is sweet and pervasive and strongest at dusk, which draws hawk moths. Glossy red berries in tight clusters ripen from August through September. Bloom duration is 10-14 weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Cream-white to yellow interior, pink to purplish-red exterior; tubular two-lipped 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) long; in terminal whorled clusters; fragrance strongest in the evening

Foliage Description

Dark green above, blue-green beneath; ovate to elliptic, 1.5-3 inches (4-8 cm) long; opposite; deciduous to semi-evergreen in mild climates

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunPartial Shade SunFull Sun

Requires 4-7 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam chalk clay

Drainagemoist

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in partial shade to full sun in moist, humus-rich, well-drained soil at pH 5.5-7.5. Hardy to USDA zone 4. Performs in the traditional hedgerow position with roots in shade and shoots reaching into sun. Tolerates chalk and alkaline soils. Powdery mildew is a recurring issue in warm, dry, still-air positions and can defoliate the plant by late summer. Aphid colonies accumulate on young shoots and can attract sooty mold.

Pruning

Prune after flowering in late summer or during the dormant season: thin out older congested stems at the base and shorten side shoots to 2-3 buds from the main framework. Overgrown vines tolerate renovation cuts back to 24 inches (60 cm) above ground. Spring pruning removes developing flower buds and is therefore not recommended. Flowers form on current-season growth from last year's wood.

Pruning Schedule

summer

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets and humans

Vines