Lonicera periclymenum 'Serotina' is often known by the wonderful common name of Late Dutch Honeysuckle, and sometimes simply as Woodbine. It’s highly valued because it blooms later and for longer than many other honeysuckles, earning it the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit.
Foliage, Fragrance, and Flowers
The plant is a vigorous, twining climber with attractive, oval-shaped leaves that are a bright, rich green. It is a deciduous climber, meaning it will lose its foliage in the autumn and then burst back into life with new leaves in the spring.
Its most famous feature is its spectacular fragrance. The tubular flowers are powerfully and sweetly scented, a classic summer perfume that is often strongest in the evening. The blooms are a striking two-tone combination: a deep red-purple or crimson on the outside and a creamy yellow within.
The flowering period is generous, typically starting in July and continuing right through to October, providing colour well into the late summer and early autumn when many other flowers are fading. Once the flowers are spent, they may be followed by small, bright red berries.
Growth and Care
This is a fast-growing climber that can eventually reach a significant height of 4 to 8 metres (about 13 to 26 feet) with a spread of around 1.5 metres, making it perfect for covering walls, fences, arches, or pergolas.
Care is straightforward, but key to success is getting the planting position right. Honeysuckle traditionally prefers its "feet in the shade and its head in the sun." This means you should aim to plant it in fertile, moist, well-drained soil where the flowering upper growth can reach full sun or light shade, while the base and roots are kept cool, perhaps shielded by a layer of mulch or a nearby shrub.
Watering should be regular, especially in dry spells, to prevent the soil from drying out, which can lead to mildew. The plant is a twiner and will naturally wrap itself around any nearby support; it does not have any spines.
Pruning is minimal: the best time to tidy it is just after flowering, removing about a third of the spent flowering shoots to maintain its shape and control its size.
Note: The small, bright red berries that follow the flowers are visually appealing but should not be eaten. The foliage and fruit are considered toxic if ingested and may cause a mild stomach upset. Handle the plant with care, particularly when pruning.
