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Honeysuckle

©Ross Hoddinott/2020VISION

Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle - ©northeastwildlife.co.uk

Honeysuckle

A true wildlife 'hotel', Honeysuckle is a climbing plant that caters for all kinds of wildlife: it provides nectar for insects, prey for bats, nest sites for birds and food for small mammals.

Scientific name

Lonicera periclymenum

When to see

February to November

Species information

Statistics

Height: up to 5m
Common.

About

The sweet, heady scent of Honeysuckle, carried on a warm summer breeze, is one of the most delightful experiences of the season. Strongest at night, in order to attract pollinating moths, this scent is a happy addition to any garden. Honeysuckle is a climbing plant, common in hedgerows, scrub and woodlands, where it twines itself around other shrubs and trees. Whorls of trumpet-shaped flowers appear from June to August and clusters of red berries ripen in the autumn.

How to identify

Honeysuckle has climbing, twining stems that are red when young; they climb clockwise around the branches and stems of other plants, sometimes distorting them. Its grey-green, oval leaves appear from February and stay on the plant until autumn, or even over winter. In summer, white or yellow, red-flushed, tubular flowers appear in clusters; red berries ripen in autumn.

Distribution

Widespread.

Did you know?

Honeysuckle is a true wildlife 'hotel': its nectar-rich, scented flowers attract moths like the impressive Elephant Hawk-moth which are, in turn, preyed upon by bats; new shoots attract blackfly which bring hungry Blue Tits, lacewings and ladybirds; its climbing stems provide nest sites and material for birds, such as Blackbirds and Pied Flycatchers, and small mammals like Dormice; and its juicy red berries are eaten by everyone from Song Thrushes to squirrels.