Lonicera heckrottii
Lonicera heckrottii · Caprifoliaceae
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The gardener's calendar
Lonicera heckrottii is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Lonicera heckrottii
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Plant type
- Woody climbing vine
- Mature height
- Up to 2.5 m
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen to deciduous depending on climate
- Flowering
- June to September, red-orange and yellow flowers
- Hardiness
- Hardy down to approximately -15 °C
- Growth
- Vigorous
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Plant in autumn or spring in well-draining soil enriched with compost. Prune after flowering (September) to densify growth and prevent buildup of dead wood.
The common mistake
Letting it sprawl on the ground or climb haphazardly without guidance: it becomes a tangled mess, flowers poorly, and deteriorates quickly from poor air circulation.
The pro's trick
Spiral it gently on trellises or horizontal tension wires: it'll cover 3-4 times more surface area and breathe way better than a simple vertical climb.
Care
Sunlight
Install Heckrott's honeysuckle in full sun to obtain generous and prolonged flowering. It tolerates partial shade, but flowers will be less abundant. Avoid overly hot and drying exposures in Mediterranean regions: light afternoon shade can be beneficial.
Watering
Water regularly and moderately, especially during active growth and flowering periods. The soil should remain moist but well-drained; avoid waterlogging which promotes disease. Reduce watering in winter for plants in cold zones.
Soil
Honeysuckle appreciates rich, well-structured soil that is slightly acidic to neutral. Enrich the soil with organic matter (compost) when planting. Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot.
Pruning and training
Prune after flowering (September-October) to control shape and encourage branching. Remove dead or diseased branches at any time. Guide young stems on their support early in growth to structure the plant.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced fertilizer in spring and moderate feeding in June. An organic mulch at the base gradually releases nutrients and maintains moisture. Avoid excess nitrogen which would reduce flowering in favor of foliage.
Pests and diseases
Honeysuckle is generally robust. Watch for powdery mildew in humid conditions: ensure good air circulation. Aphids may occasionally infest it: spray soapy water or a natural treatment if needed. Insufficient drainage promotes fungal development.
Did you know?
Heckrott's honeysuckle owes its name to German horticulturist Albert Heckrott, who created it in the nineteenth century through hybridization. It is one of the most floriferous climbing honeysuckles and its bicolored red-orange and yellow flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies throughout the summer, making it a true invitation for pollinators in your garden.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- HoneysuckleLonicera periclymenum
- Small scabiousScabiosa columbaria
- Red valerianCentranthus ruber
- Japanese honeysuckleLonicera japonica
- Himalayan honeysuckleLeycesteria formosa
- Involucred honeysuckleLonicera involucrata
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.