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Lonicera japonica 'Hall's Prolific' (Lonicera)

A vigorous and free-flowering variety of climbing Japanese Honeysuckle with darker green leaves and an abundance of scented white flowers from spring to late summer. The flowers turn to yellow as they age and are followed by dark purple berries in september.

History

The genus Lonicera is dedicated to the German naturalist Adam Lonicer. Japonica means that it has come from Japan. It can actually be found in China and Korea as well as Japan; usually in woodland areas, thickets and rocky places. Where it grows naturally in the UK such as south-east England it has formed dense thickets.

Planting

Can be planted any time from Autumn to Spring. Ensure the soil has plenty of organic matter prior to planting. Water thoroughly, dig a hole twice the size of the rootball, loosening the soil at the base. Tease out the roots and position the plant in the hole so the top of the rootball is level with the soil surface. Backfil the hole, firm in and water well.

Propagation

Seed, Semi-ripe & ripewood cuttings (take cuttings in summer) and layering.

Cultivation

Planted against a supporting structure it will grows well in any reasonably fertile, moist but well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade. It develops particularly well if its roots are in shade but the tops are in sunshine.

Aftercare

Mulch in spring each year with leaf mould or garden compost to retain the soil moisture and maintain the fertility of the soil. Water thoroughly in summer if the soil becomes dry. In drought conditions honeysuckle can become very prone to aphids and mildew. Cut back long shoots on new plants to encourage lower branches. Train plants on trellis or wires. Established plants can be cut back after flowering to maintain shape, remove a third of the flowering shoots.

Pests

Aphids.

Diseases

Mildew.

This plant is scented.

Poisonous characteristics

Some caution is advised as the leaves and berries can prove toxic to humans.

Other information

Attractive to bees and butterflies. Birds will eat the berries in autumn. The Japanese Honeysuckle flower is of high medicinal value in traditional Chinese medicine; it has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and is used to dispel heat and remove toxins, including carbuncles, fevers, influenza and ulcers. The dried leaves are also used in Chinese medicine.

Height/Spread

A fast growing, evergreen climber, that can grow up to 9m in height at maturity and usually achieves a growth of 1-2m per year. It has oval dark green leaves and from April to August an abundance of highly fragrant, tubular white flowers that mature to a pale yellow. The flowers are followed by small dark purple/black berries.

Annual care

March

Apply a mulch of well rotted organic matter or manure.

June

Train young shoots onto trellis or wire supports. Prune leader shoots to encourage growth in lower branches.

October

Good time to prune back established plants.

Plant name

Lonicera

Latin name

Lonicera japonica 'Hall's Prolific'

Common name

Japanese Honeysuckle 'Hall's Prolific'

Genus

Lonicera

Flower colour

White, Yellow

Foliage colour

Dark Green

Plant type

Climber

Soil type

any

Soil PH

any

Moisture

Moist Well Drained

Aspect

Sun-Partial Shade

Hardiness

H (Fully Hardy) to -15°C

Leaf type

Evergreen

Life cycle

Perennial

Aspect

Vigorous

Min height

4 m

Max height

9 m

Min spread

2 m

Max spread

3 m