Lonicera japonica

Lonicera japonica, more commonly known as Japanese honeysuckle, is a flowering perennial vine native to eastern parts of Asia, including Korea, China, and Japan.  Japanese honeysuckle is an incredibly fast-growing, vining plant with extended blooming periods.  Originating as stark white in color, the unique flowers gradually fade to a golden yellow with age. Due to the prolonged flowering, it is common to see the plant speckled with flowers at different stages of color development, all present at the same time.  This exquisite display makes Japanese honeysuckle a great choice for covering trellises, trees, or other lofty structures, especially with the plants' evergreen quality in warmer areas.  In addition to its beautiful blooms, Japanese honeysuckle has tidy foliage that ranges from bright to dark green based on sun exposure and leaf age.  As Japanese honeysuckle is considered an invasive species in many places, consult your local legislation and plant responsibly.  Black berries are produced after the flowers fade and are mildly toxic to humans and pets, so ensure proper safety measures are observed with this plant.  

As a remarkably adaptable plant, Japanese honeysuckle can be grown in sunny or shaded conditions, and many take advantage of its reduced growth rate in shade to assist in managing the plant.  Dry soils can also reduce the growth speed of Japanese honeysuckle, though they thrive in moderately rich, well-draining mediums.  To prevent browning and leaf loss, provide water bimonthly in the absence of rain, or weekly to promote faster growth.  Japanese honeysuckle vines will rarely die from a lack of watering, even if their foliage is lost, and reducing watering frequency can help slow the plants' growth.  Typically, Japanese honeysuckle should not require any feeding, and at most, a layer of compost added to the base of the vine is more than enough.  Learn more in the Plant Story community!

3-6 hours of sun per day, with protection from intense mid-day sun

Water generously when surface of mix is dry.