Honeysuckle ( Lonicera )are members of the viburnum family and are one of the top five climbers we can grow in the UK in my view.
The plant is durable because it can tolerate a fairly wide range of soils both fertile and poor , sandy or clay.
Not only that but it is hardy ,it soaks up the worst of what winter can throw at it and always comes back the next year stronger than ever. But the highlight for me is the perfume . The variety I grow is called Belgica which has cream and pinkish flowers which smell like nothing on earth on a warm evening. I would reccommend Beligica as THE honeysuckle variety it really won't let you down. Honeysuckles do need support to climb through . Why not try letting it grow through another climber such as russian vine or through conifers . If not simply erect chicken wire or posts and twine or attach to a secure wall.
One of the few potential problems with Honeysuckle is that they can on occasion require prorection from aphids. The tender young growth in spring can be vulnerable but well grown plants should ne able to shake this off. Avoid feeding without nitrogen chemical fertilisers as this will make the new growth soft and more vulnerable to attack.
If you wish to take cuttings it is best to layer the stems near to ground level . Normall style cuttings can root but are prone to dying.
There are endless uses and locations for this great climber and I for one would not want to be without it .
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