The main characteristics of honeysuckle Honeysuckle and rules for its cultivation

Honeysuckle Honeysuckle is ideal for landscaping a personal plot. Such a “hedge” participates in the creation of landscape designs, improves the area, provides shade, and helps create a cozy place to relax. More than 10 species of honeysuckle are known, including climbing honeysuckle.

Honeysuckle Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle Honeysuckle blooms for about 3 weeks

Honeysuckle flowers Honeysuckle have a pleasant aroma

Description of Honeysuckle Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle Honeysuckle has a pleasant aroma and unique flowers, creating comfort and shade in the garden or in the gazebo. In the wild, the plant is found in southern Europe, in the Caucasus mountains, and lives up to 50 years.

The original name of honeysuckle Honeysuckle is Lonicera caprifolium, which translated means “folium” - leaf, “carpa” - goat. These curly bushes up to 6 m long have different shades of colors and always attract the attention of passers-by.

Appearance

The shrub has bright green ellipsoidal leaves, vertically growing branches 4-5 m long (depending on the age of the honeysuckle). Gray-green shoots turn red in the sun and tightly wrap around any support. The leaves gradually grow together into a disc, in the middle of which first a flower is formed, then a bunch of ripe berries.

Honeysuckle flowers have a subtle pleasant aroma and decorative appearance. They become a source of inspiration and a symbol of beauty, but they are not edible and do not contain medicinal properties. This is a characteristic difference between Honeysuckle and other varieties of honeysuckle. The plant smells intensely in summer, and the aroma intensifies in the evening.

Honeysuckle has red, blue, purple, white and yellow flowers. When ripe in late July or early August, they turn deep orange or bright red. Each flower individually lives no more than 3 days, after which it fades. The flowering period of the entire shrub lasts no longer than 3 weeks.

Growth

If there is support, honeysuckle grows up to 6 m in length. Thanks to this property, the shrub becomes a vertical gardening for summer cottages and garden plots. For proper growth, form the bush during the planting period, find reliable support for it. Otherwise, honeysuckle loses its decorative appearance.

In the wild, Honeysuckle is found on sunny edges and in forests, and grows up to 1 meter in length in a year. Due to its beauty and vertical tortuosity, it has been planted in Russian gardens since the 19th century.

Varieties of honeysuckle

Honeysuckle is considered the most beautiful representative of honeysuckle among 10 varieties. Gardeners are attracted by the variety of colors and shades, the preservation of the decorative appearance even after the bush has flowered. The most popular honeysuckle varieties Honeysuckle with a brief description:

• Few-flowered . The bush is pale red in color with a small number of flowers.
• Alba . Early flowering bush, blue or white flowers.

Other decorative varieties of honeysuckle are also used to create landscape design:

• Inga . Flowers are white, pink, red and yellow with an intense scent, collected in capitate inflorescences.
• Telman . The flowers are hot yellow in color with a moderate aroma and look like lights on the bushes.
• Belgica Select . The flowers are purple or pink, the fruits are red. The plant blooms 2 times a year - in May, then in August-September.
• Harlequin . The flowers are pale pink in color with a moderate aroma, decorating many gazebos in the garden.
• Graham Thomas . The flowers are long, white-yellow in color with a pleasant aroma. They bloom from the second half of July to September.

Plant characteristics

There are many species of ornamental honeysuckle (Lonicera). Among them there are both climbing and shrubby plants. Climbers combine the best qualities of decorative vines. They are beautiful from spring to autumn due to their bright blooms and lush greenery.

Attention! All types of climbing honeysuckle, with the exception of the aggressive Japanese variety (L. japonica), are characterized by restrained growth and are easy to shape.

Honeysuckle blooms from May to mid-summer, and some varieties bloom in the fall . The height of the vines reaches 5-6 m. Flowers grow in clusters at the ends of the branches. There are many shades of them - from pale pastels to deep reds. Most varieties exude a strong aroma reminiscent of jasmine. It attracts butterflies and bees.

In the second half of summer, small red or orange fruits appear in place of the flowers . In decorative honeysuckle they are inedible.

This is interesting! Translated from Latin, caprifolium means “goat leaf.”

The oval-shaped leaves grow opposite each other and sometimes unite around the stem to form oblong cups. The foliage is usually blue-green, but some varieties exhibit dark green and copper hues.

Advantages and disadvantages

Having appreciated the significant benefits of honeysuckle Honeysuckle, many designers have included this ornamental plant in their landscape projects and ideas. Positive aspects of Honeysuckle Honeysuckle:

• ease of care;
• decorative appearance;
• variety of colors;
• quick adaptation to weather conditions;
• pleasant aroma;
• fast growth;
• hedge;
• creating shade and comfort in the fresh air;
• strong immunity.

When choosing a variety, keep in mind that Honeysuckle Honeysuckle has certain disadvantages and causes trouble when caring for:

• inedible fruits;
• fast flowering;
• pruning branches;
• formation of support;
• deterioration of external data during transplantation;
• the need to form a bush and regular watering.

Pruning in autumn

Decorative honeysuckle honeysuckle is usually pruned in early autumn, when the buds have not yet awakened after wintering and the plant will not experience stress from this procedure (Figure 7).

The main goal of this manipulation is to form the crown of the desired shape and direct the shoots in the desired direction. It is usually customary to trim, or rather shorten, the three strongest stems. They are cut back by one third, and all weak or damaged branches are completely removed.

Figure 7. Scheme of crop pruning depending on age

It should be borne in mind that only plants older than six years need formative pruning. For young Honeysuckle bushes, sanitary pruning carried out in spring or autumn will suffice.

Planting honeysuckle Honeysuckle

The plant feels comfortable in all regions of Russia, but is less common in the northern part. This is explained by the characteristics of the harsh climate. At low temperatures, honeysuckle needs special care and may freeze.

To plant a plant, choose the right time, do not disrupt the sequence of actions, and provide reliable care for seedlings and young shoots.

Boarding time

Plant honeysuckle outdoors only in early spring; before that, keep it in a greenhouse. The plant blooms in May, which is a favorable period for the root system and fruits.

When planting Honeysuckle in early summer, the bush grows in early autumn, and its fruits pleasantly please the eye with a rich red color. During this period, the plant quickly fades.

Selecting a location

Before planting seedlings, decide on a permanent location. Honeysuckle does not like to be transplanted from place to place. In this case, the shoots slow down their growth, and flowers appear less frequently and in smaller quantities.

Honeysuckle needs vertical support to grow, so honeysuckle takes root better near the walls of a house, pillars and fences. It is important to take into account all these nuances, including lighting, composition and soil moisture.

Soil preparation

When choosing soil, remember that honeysuckle lives for more than 10 years, so fertile soil is needed. Make sure that there are no deep underwater waters in the area, and if there is any, use drainage. Otherwise, the root system rots and the plant dies.

Loosen the soil so that it receives enough light and oxygen. To increase soil fertility, use the following ingredients:

• Peat, sand, humus and turf soil as a base. The ratio of components is 1:1:1:3.
• Two buckets of compost, 500 ml slaked lime, 100 g double superphosphate, 30 g potassium sulfate.

When preparing the soil, evaluate its environment. The best option is neutral, with an indicator of 7.5-8.5. Pre-treat acidic soil with slaked lime. Honeysuckle develops poorly on clay soil.

Support

Honeysuckle needs support. This can be any vertical surface on a personal plot: a fence, a canopy, a fence, a wall of a house or a gazebo. If desired, make a support yourself from available materials (wood, metal, nylon mesh).

More often, mesh with large cells, cords, and lattice trellises are used for support. First, the plant makes its way upward, and after trimming the tops it gives off side shoots and spreads to the sides. With a high support, 5 years after planting, honeysuckle grows to 4-5 m in length.

Selection of planting material

The growth of the plant depends on the health and strength of the seedlings. Choose two-year-old seedlings with 2-3 branches and a length of 30 cm. Other recommendations when purchasing planting material:

• Study the branches carefully . Dry branches with damaged bark are not suitable. The main selection criteria are elasticity and surface integrity.
• Examine the bark . Spots indicate a plant health problem. The negative point is the peeling of the shoots.
• Consider the roots . The presence of growths, poor branching, fragility and an unpleasant odor are signs of diseases of the root system. Such a plant will not grow quickly.

Step-by-step planting diagram

When planting honeysuckle, maintain a distance of 1.5 m between neighboring seedlings, otherwise the growth of Honeysuckle will slow down.

Sequencing:

1. Dig a hole 40 cm deep and wide.
2. Place drainage at the bottom (expanded clay, crushed stone, gravel, sand, etc.).
3. Use organic fertilizer (manure, humus, compost).
4. Make a hill in the hole, plant the seedlings, straighten the roots.
5. Dig the hole so that the root goes 5-7 cm deep.
6. Water each seedling generously (up to 1 bucket per plant).
7. Lay out a 10 cm layer of mulch.

Young honeysuckle leaves will appear in a week. To make the plant stronger faster, water it, loosen the soil and remove weeds in a timely manner, especially if they are perennial.

Types and varieties

Honeysuckle is divided into two types: edible and inedible. The blue and blue color of the fruits with a bluish coating is a characteristic feature of the edible crop.

Breeders, having cultivated forest honeysuckle, have developed many early-ripening, mid- and late-ripening varieties of berry bushes.

The most popular varieties of honeysuckle

Blue spindle

A variety bred by Siberian breeders. It got its name because of the shape of the berry, which looks like a long spindle. The shrub reaches one meter in height and has a rounded, sparse crown. The color of the berry is blue. A waxy coating covers the thick skin. The length of the fruit is 3 cm, width 1.1 cm. The taste is sweet and sour.

Leningrad giant

A tall variety, reaching a height of 2 meters. The rounded crown grows 1.5 m wide. Cylindrical berries with dark blue tubercles are covered with a waxy coating. The length of the fruit varies from 2.2 to 3.3 cm. The weight of one berry reaches 1.5 g. The tender pulp when ripe is very sweet, without sourness. A variety for those with a sweet tooth.

Cinderella

A compact bush with a dense crown does not exceed 70 cm in height. The berries ripen in early June, at different times. Small fruits of a dark blue color, almost black, with a coating. The taste of the berries is sweet and sour, the smell is similar to strawberry aroma. The yield is high: up to 5.5 kg can be harvested from one plant.

Nymph

Tall (about 2.5 m), slightly spreading variety with thick straight shoots. The berries are spindle-shaped with a bumpy surface. Moderately thick skin of a blue-blue hue. The aromatic pulp is sweet in taste, but with a slight bitterness.

Souvenir

A fast-growing variety of average height - about 1.5 m. The crown is lush, oval in shape. The berries are blue in color, with loose skin, and taste sweet and sour.

Princess Diana

The height of the plant is about 2 m. The berries are violet-blue in color. The size is large: length 4-5 cm, width 1.2 cm, weight up to 2.5 g. Juicy, tender pulp, tastes sweet, without bitterness.

A feature of all varieties of honeysuckle is self-sterility. Even 3-4 bushes of the same variety will not produce a harvest. To get a good harvest, you need to plant at least two different varieties. This garden crop requires cross-pollination.

Honeysuckle care

Honeysuckle Honeysuckle is unpretentious in care, grows quickly and climbs along the support. Regular monitoring of growth will help to avoid diseases, improper formation of the bush and depletion of shoots. The soil should not dry out, and if weeds appear, get rid of them immediately.

Watering

The plant is easy to care for; the main thing is to water it periodically. If the summer turns out to be rainy, then there is no need for additional watering. Otherwise, the root system rots.

Honeysuckle Honeysuckle does not tolerate severe drought, so in hot weather, double the number and abundance of watering - 2 times a week. Check that the soil at the base of the bush does not crack, moisten it.

Feeding

Honeysuckle grows well. To speed up this process and get a hedge faster, additionally use fertilizing. The choice of fertilizers and nutrient compounds depends on the time of year:

• In spring, the plant needs nitrogenous fertilizers. A solution made from manure or bird droppings is considered good nutrition. Concentrated fertilizers can burn the root system. To prevent this from happening, dilute with water in a ratio of 1:10.
• In the fall, focus on phosphorus and potassium fertilizers; use rotted manure or humus for fertilizing. Special superphosphates are especially in demand during this period.
• In summer, use nitrophoska, dilute 20 g of the composition in 1 bucket of water.

Read more about how to fertilize honeysuckle in spring, summer and autumn in the next article.

Loosening and weeding

Honeysuckle does not tolerate proximity. Before planting Honeysuckle, remove all weeds and perennial plants, weed the ground as the bush grows. Fluffed soil receives heat and oxygen. If there is no mulch, weed the soil 2 times a week.

Pruning and shaping the bush

When seedlings grow, choose the 3 strongest shoots and carefully pick off the rest. When the honeysuckle grows tall, trim the tops. This is necessary for Caprifoli to grow in width and form a hedge.

As the hedge expands, the lower leaves fall off and gaps appear. To disguise them, plant another bush, which will cover the white spots on the vertical support with young leaves.

If you regularly prune the plant, it grows faster, produces beautiful flowers of rich color and attractive fruits. Without pruning, you cannot create a flawless landscape design. After winter storage, prune dead and weak shoots in the spring (carry out a sanitary trimming of the bush).

About pruning honeysuckle Honeysuckle, see the following video:

How to care for a plant?

In order for the vine to grow well in the open ground and not get sick, you will need to comply with watering conditions, periodically feed the bush, guide the vines and carry out pruning in a timely manner.

Rules of care:

1. Honeysuckle Honeysuckle prefers moderate moisture. In rainy weather it is not watered; on average, 4-5 waterings per season are sufficient.
2. Periodic loosening and mulching of the soil protects the roots from overheating.
3. Fertilizers will help the bush survive the cold winter and give good growth in the spring. In autumn, humus, peat or a mineral complex with potassium and phosphorus are poured into the tree trunk circle. Nitrogen fertilizers will be needed in spring. From organic honeysuckle, mullein solution is suitable.
4. From the first days of growth, the vine must be carefully guided along the prepared trellis.

Pruning fragrant vines is a procedure that requires special attention. In spring, all frozen parts are completely cut off, as they can become a source of infection of the entire plant. The first formative pruning is carried out after planting the seedling. Leave the 3 strongest stems and shorten them by a third. All other shoots are cut off completely.

Throughout the season, the crown is thinned out, all weak, dry and damaged shoots are removed.

Reproduction

Replant honeysuckle in the spring, and immediately decide on a suitable place, otherwise you can ruin the bush. The plant reproduces in several ways - cuttings, layering, seeds and by dividing the bush. The choice is up to the gardeners.

Seeds

This is a complex process that is carried out in the following sequence:

1. Prepare the seeds: remove the grains from the pulp, rinse and dry on the radiator.
2. To make the grains germinate faster, place them in damp sand.
3. Store in the refrigerator for 2-4 weeks, refrigerate periodically.
4. Prepare a box with nutrient soil and fluff it up.
5. Cover with seeds and place a layer of soil on top.
6. Cover the container with glass or cling film.
7. Do not open until new shoots appear.
8. Afterwards, remove the film/glass and ensure regular watering.

When the plant gets stronger and gains height, transplant it to a permanent place. Planting seeds is a troublesome process, the effectiveness of which also depends on the quality of the grains. Therefore, most gardeners prefer to deal with seedlings.

To learn how to collect Honeysuckle seeds for planting, see the following video:

Cuttings

Cuttings are prepared when the bush has already bloomed - in mid-July. When germinating young shoots, avoid direct sunlight. Preparation rules:

1. Choose older shoots that break easily.
2. The length of the cuttings is up to 10 cm, the number of nodes is 2-3 pcs.
3. Cut the top at a 90-degree angle and the bottom of the cutting at a 45-degree angle.
4. Plant in a greenhouse, add peat and sand in equal proportions to the garden soil.
5. Choose the distance between the cuttings - 15-25 cm, the depth of the holes - 2-3 cm.
6. In spring, transplant the young plant with leaves into open ground.

By layering

This method of propagating honeysuckle is the simplest and most accessible; it does not require special preparation or subtleties. The sequence of actions of the gardener is as follows:

1. Bend the honeysuckle branch and cover it with soil.
2. To prevent it from returning to its original position, secure it with a rope or staple.
3. Fluff the soil thoroughly and water after planting.
4. After rooting, separate the young and mature plants.
5. Dig it up and transplant it to a permanent place.

Dividing the bush

In this case, you will have to disturb the root system of the adult honeysuckle. For example, disconnect the shoot with its roots, shorten it and plant it in a separate container. For rapid growth, regularly water Honeysuckle and monitor the appearance of the first leaves.

Second option: dig up a bush and use a shovel to divide it into 2 parts. Treat the cuts with ash and shorten the shoots. Plant both bushes in different containers, and also monitor their intensive growth. Later, transplant the strengthened honeysuckle into open ground.

How to plant correctly

Decorative types of honeysuckle are used exclusively for decorating a personal plot or creating hedges. It is better to plant this plant near or around the house, in a specific place in the garden.

See also

Rules for planting and caring for indoor roses at home

Selecting a location

Honeysuckle grows well in the shade, but blooms better in a well-lit area. From this plant you can make a hedge, surround a resting place in the garden, or a children's playground with bushes. With the help of honeysuckle you can create an impenetrable wall and highlight separate zones.

Expert opinion

Zakharova Irina Yurievna

Cleaning professional with 15 years of experience. Our best expert.

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It is better to plant a climbing vine near a wall, running it along a trellis. You can make an arch by planting climbing plants on both sides of a semicircular metal structure.

When choosing a place for planting, pay attention to the degree of swampiness of the soil. This ornamental crop does not tolerate excess moisture, but does not grow well without regular moderate watering. It is advisable not to plant the vine in a draft or in a place not protected from northern winds.

Making a support

Honeysuckle in the form of a bush requires only formative pruning. For the vine you need to make a special support. This could be a metal arch, wooden garden screens, partitions, trellises, pergolas. You can make the support yourself from wooden slats or buy a ready-made one. The main thing is that it is strong and can withstand the weight of the shoots.

Soil requirements

Honeysuckle is demanding on the soil. This plant prefers neutral or slightly acidic, but always fertile, soil. If the soil is too clayey or sandy, then its composition needs to be improved. The soil should be loose and light, but contain all the nutrients for plant growth.

To do this, dig a hole up to 70 centimeters deep and wide, and the selected soil is mixed in equal proportions with humus, turf, garden soil, and leaf soil.

Sand, sawdust and peat are added to clay soil. The earth is fertilized with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium substances (50 grams of each), up to 100 grams of lime are added to reduce acidity, and a pinch of soda to prevent fungi.

See also

Ideas for landscaping a balcony, what flowers to plant and design rules

Recommendations for choosing deadlines

A potted plant purchased in summer can be immediately planted in the garden. Before winter, honeysuckle will have time to adapt to new conditions. True, spring is more suitable for planting in open ground than autumn. The young plant will not have time to acclimatize in a new place, gain strength, and may die in a harsh winter.

Planting scheme

In order to plant honeysuckle in the ground, you need to dig a hole 2-3 times larger than the root ball of the plant. It is advisable to improve the selected soil with organic (about a bucket of rotted manure) and mineral fertilizers.

The planting pit usually has the following dimensions: depth - 50-70 centimeters, diameter - 50-70 centimeters. It is advisable to lay fine gravel on the bottom. A little soil is poured into the hole, a plant is placed on top of it and sprinkled with the remaining soil. The root collar should remain above the soil level. There is no need to deepen it. After planting, it is recommended to water the plant generously (1-2 buckets per bush).

Diseases and pests

If the plant withers, some of the leaves turn yellow and fall off, these are signs of the appearance of a disease or harmful insects that deplete the once strong shoots and affect the root system. Possible pests are described in the table:

To get rid of harmful insects or prevent their appearance, use the drugs Condifor, Elexar, Inta-VIR. Spray the leaves with a solution prepared strictly according to the instructions.

Another enemy of honeysuckle is fungus. Brown compactions (tubercles) appear on the leaves. The crown withers and crumbles. Remove fungus-affected shoots. To preserve the hedge, treat the plant with a solution of copper sulfate. Use fungicidal preparations, 1% Bordeaux mixture or Aga-Pik.

When viruses are active, streaks appear on the leaves. You can try to save honeysuckle Honeysuckle by treating it with a solution of copper sulfate or the drug Fundazol. If there is no result, dig up and burn the diseased plant. Proceed similarly for ramularia and cercospora, when brown spots on the leaves lead to the death of green shrubs.

For advanced honeysuckle diseases, use chemicals. Antitlin, Actellik, Biotlin and Akarin are especially effective if you do not violate the proportions prescribed in the instructions. To prevent harmful insects in the fall, spray Caprifol with a 5% urea solution.

Shelter for the winter

The shelter of honeysuckle Honeysuckle for the winter deserves special attention. Despite the fact that this crop tolerates both frost and hot weather, it is advisable to protect it from severe frost in winter.

The winter hardiness of the plant can be called moderate. For example, in central Russia, a bush can winter without shelter, but only if its roots are covered with a layer of snow. In the northern regions, covering the crop with a layer of organic mulch or non-woven covering material is a prerequisite for growing.

Reviews from gardeners

★★★★★
Karina, 35 years old, housewife, Pavlov Posad. At my dacha, honeysuckle grows over the fence.
Such a hedge looks catchy and impressive, especially when beautiful purple flowers appear in the summer. But the flowers fade quickly, but the leaves are green almost all year round. The idea is interesting, but you have to constantly look after it. Without regular watering, the leaves turn pale and wither, and in winter you have to remove the branches from the support. Overall, I am satisfied, but there are some difficulties. ★★★★★
Mark, 42 ​​years old, lawyer, Zhukovsky. At my dacha, the gazebo is decorated with honeysuckle Honeysuckle.
It was the right decision in my life. The plant creates a pleasant shade, has beautiful flowers and a delicious aroma. After a hard day, I come to the dacha and relax my soul. The plant does not require special care: I water it on weekends, feed it once every 2-3 weeks, and for the winter I hide the branches under slate. There are no difficulties, but the beauty is indescribable. Initially I tried other varieties, but they didn’t take root. ★★★★★
Svetlana, 37 years old, accountant, Sochi. Honeysuckle Honeysuckle has a pleasant, persistent aroma.
It calms and relaxes, which is especially important after a working day. At first the gazebo was equipped like this at home, then the fence was surrounded with honeysuckle. When the plant blooms, it is a magnificent sight. The flowers are voluminous, of different shades. It doesn't last long, but there's a lot to see. Among the disadvantages: in the winter you have to remove the hedge and store it in a warm place. The second disadvantage: if honeysuckle is replanted, it rarely takes root in a new place. I convinced myself. Hide

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Honeysuckle Honeysuckle is used as an ornamental shrub. It perfectly complements any vertical surface, allowing you to enjoy magnificent colors and an unforgettable aroma. This plant is often used by landscape designers in their work.

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General information

What kind of name is honeysuckle honeysuckle, the description of which will be described in detail below? It is literally translated into Russian as “goat leaf”. The fragrant vine can be found in the Caucasus, central and southern Europe. You can easily recognize it among hundreds of other plants by the following characteristic features:

Honeysuckle

• Light green shoots. In the rays of the sun they take on a pinkish tint.
• The leaves are ellipsoid.
• The flowers are on long tubes and form a mini-bouquet. In general, the honeysuckle flower Honeysuckle smells very pleasantly with spices. The range is varied - from classic white to red-violet.
• When the plant has finished flowering, the fruit begins to set. They are unsuitable for human consumption and are orange in color.

It is extremely important to start forming the vine in the first days of development. If this is not done, the young shoot will begin to use the skeletal branch of the bush as a support. And instead of a beautiful “green fence” you will get a sloppy lump.

Interesting fact! It turns out that this type of vine does not grow in regions with a pronounced continental climate. The reason is simple - the plant freezes in winter.