Honeysuckle is a fragrant climbing vine (and sometimes shrub) whose tubular, nectar-rich flowers perfume summer evenings and draw hummingbirds, bees, and moths. Its clinging habit makes it a natural symbol of lasting love.
Honeysuckle at a glance
- Botanical name: Lonicera
- Family: Caprifoliaceae
- Bloom season: late spring to summer
- Symbolism: the bonds of love and devoted affection
About the honeysuckle
Honeysuckles bear clusters of slender, two-lipped flowers, often opening pale and deepening in color as they age, followed by berries. Vining types clothe trellises and fences with fragrance, though some, like Japanese honeysuckle, can be invasive. Native trumpet honeysuckle is a well-behaved favourite for pollinators.
Honeysuckle meaning and symbolism
Honeysuckle symbolizes the bonds of love and devoted affection, its clinging vines a natural emblem of lasting attachment. It’s a secondary birth flower for June.
Types of honeysuckle
Popular varieties worth knowing:
- Trumpet honeysuckle (L. sempervirens) — native, hummingbird favourite
- Japanese honeysuckle (L. japonica) — very fragrant but invasive
- Winter honeysuckle — scented winter shrub
- Woodbine (L. periclymenum) — the classic European climber
How to grow and care for honeysuckle
A few essentials keep this flower thriving:
- Grow in full sun to part shade with well-drained soil
- Give climbing types a sturdy support
- Water regularly until established
- Prune after flowering to control growth
- Choose native or non-invasive types to avoid aggressive spread
Honeysuckle FAQs
Is honeysuckle invasive?
Some types are. Japanese honeysuckle in particular can spread aggressively and is considered invasive in many areas. Native trumpet honeysuckle is a well-behaved alternative.
Can you eat honeysuckle nectar?
The sweet nectar of some honeysuckles can be tasted from the flower, but the berries of many species are toxic, so it’s safest to enjoy honeysuckle for its scent and beauty.
Does honeysuckle attract hummingbirds?
Yes. The tubular, nectar-rich flowers, especially of trumpet honeysuckle, are a magnet for hummingbirds, as well as bees and moths.
Explore more
Browse more flower profiles, learn about flower meanings, or find your birth flower.