Also known as Honeysuckle · 1k gardener saves
Lonicera: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Lonicera, the genus most gardeners know as honeysuckle. We track 16 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Lonicera varieties
Of 16 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedCoral Honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens 'Coral Honeysuckle'
#2 most savedGoldflame Honeysuckle
Lonicera x helleri 'Goldflame'
#3 most savedLate Dutch Honeysuckle
Lonicera serotina
Winter Honeysuckle
Lonicera fragrantissima 'Fragrant Cloud'
Major Wheeler honeysuckle
Lonicera x helleri 'Major Wheeler'
Japanese Honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica
Aurora Honeyberry
Lonicera caudata 'Tundra Aurora'
John Clayton honeysuckle
Lonicera x periclymenum 'John Clayton'
Dropmore Scarlet Honeysuckle
Lonicera x brownii 'Dropmore Scarlet'
Trumpet Honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens
Peaches and Cream Honeysuckle
Lonicera periclymenum 'Peaches And Cream'
Scentsation Honeysuckle
Lonicera periclymenum 'Scentsation'
Browse all 16 Lonicera varieties →
How to grow Lonicera
What the Lonicera varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 16 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Lonicera year
- PruneFebruary100% of varieties
Cut back heavily in late winter to manage size and encourage new growth
- FertilizeMarch75% of varieties
Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring
- PlantMarch, April, September and October69% of varieties
Plant bare root in late winter or container plants in spring/fall
- MulchMarch44% of varieties
Apply 2-3 inches of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Check for PestsApril–June44% of varieties
Monitor new growth closely for aphids.
Do
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Feed with a balanced fertilizer in spring
- Provide full sun for optimal flowering 🌞
- Water deeply during dry periods 🌱
- Mulch the base of the plant to keep roots cool.
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Do not prune in late fall or winter
- Don’t prune in late fall or winter
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Lonicera
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Apply insecticidal soap organically or use neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on leaves | Apply insecticidal soap and increase humidity |
| Scale insects | Bumps on stems and leaves | Apply horticultural oil |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Increase air circulation and apply organic fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide if necessary |
| Leaf Spot | Dark spots on leaves | Remove affected leaves and apply a fungicide |
Making more Lonicera
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-hardwood stems in late summer
- Cut 4-6 inch sections with clean shears
- Dip cut ends in rooting hormone
- Plant in moist potting mix
- Keep in bright, indirect light for 6 weeks until roots develop
Layering
- Choose a low-growing vine branch
- Bury a section of stem in soil while still attached to the parent plant
- Secure with a pin or stone
- Water regularly and wait 6-8 weeks for root formation
Lonicera questions
How many types of Lonicera are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 16 distinct Lonicera varieties. The most popular — ranked by 1k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Lonicera grow in?
Across its varieties, Lonicera covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Lonicera bloom?
Most Lonicera varieties bloom in late spring, summer, late spring to fall, mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Lonicera should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Lonicera in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
