Lonicera henryi – Henry’s Evergreen Honeysuckle

Description

Lonicera henryi – Henry’s evergreen honeysuckle

Botanical name: Lonicera henryi
Common names: Henry’s honeysuckle, evergreen honeysuckle
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Plant type: Evergreen climber
Habit: Vigorous, twining
Pot size: As supplied
Eventual size: Approx. 5–10m tall × 2–3m spread
Foliage: Long, glossy, narrow dark green leaves; evergreen
Flowers: Yellow flowers flushed red, summer (June–July), followed by black berries
Scent: Lightly scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Fertile, moist but well-drained; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H5 (hardy, to about −15°C); USDA zones 5–9
Exposure: Sheltered or exposed; tolerant
Native range: China
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Low toxicity; the berries may cause stomach upset if eaten by people or pets

Lonicera henryi is a vigorous evergreen climber with glossy narrow leaves and yellow-red summer flowers followed by black berries. Excellent for quickly covering walls, fences and trellis with year-round cover.

GardenAdvice notes

A vigorous evergreen honeysuckle from China, Lonicera henryi is grown chiefly as a fast, dense evergreen screen, its long glossy leaves clothing walls, fences and trellis year-round. It carries small yellow-and-red flowers in summer, followed by black berries, and is tough, adaptable and quick to establish.

Growing & planting

Plant in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Provide a strong support — wires, trellis or a fence — for the twining stems, or let it scramble to cover a bank. It is vigorous and will cover a large area, so allow it room. Keep the roots cool and moist.

Care & maintenance

Water well while establishing and in dry spells. Prune after flowering to keep it within bounds and maintain a tidy framework, cutting back hard if it outgrows its space — it responds well to renovation. Feed and mulch in spring. Tie in or redirect new growth as needed.

Propagation

• Cuttings: Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn.
• Layering: Peg down stems to root, then detach.

Pests & diseases

Generally tough and trouble-free, though aphids and powdery mildew can occur, especially if it is dry at the roots. Keeping the roots cool and moist reduces mildew.

Uses in the garden

Excellent for quickly clothing walls, fences, trellis and pergolas with evergreen cover, for screening, and for covering banks and unsightly structures.

Wildlife value

The summer flowers attract bees and other pollinators, and the black berries provide food for birds, while the dense evergreen cover offers valuable nesting and roosting habitat.

Toxicity & safety

Henry’s honeysuckle has a low level of toxicity: the berries may cause stomach upset if eaten by people or pets, so it is best to discourage children and pets from eating them.

GardenAdvice tip

Lonicera henryi is one of the best evergreen climbers for a fast, dense screen — but it is genuinely vigorous, so give it a strong support and plenty of room, and be ready to prune it firmly after flowering each year. Keep its roots cool and moist and you’ll avoid the powdery mildew that can affect honeysuckles in dry spots.

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