Lonicera implexa
Lonicera implexa · Caprifoliaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around lonicera implexa and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen to evergreen depending on climate
- Flowering
- Spring to early summer (April-June)
- Mature size
- 1.5 to 2.5 m tall, spreading shrub form
- Growth
- Moderate
- Hardiness
- USDA Zone 8-10 (minimum -10 to 0°C)
- Origin
- Balearic Islands (Mediterranean)
- Soil type
- Well-drained, calcareous, fertile
Care
Exposure
Place the Balearic honeysuckle in full sun to partial shade to encourage abundant flowering. A sunny position produces the best flowers and a more compact form. It tolerates windy coastal areas well.
Watering
Water regularly during the first year after planting and during prolonged dry periods. Once established, it is tolerant of moderate drought. Avoid excessive moisture that could promote rot.
Soil and planting
Prepare a well-drained substrate, enriched with potting soil or compost. This shrub appreciates calcareous soils and thrives in rocky terrain. Improve heavy soil with sand or gravel.
Pruning and training
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a harmonious shape. Remove dead or weak wood in early spring. Avoid severe pruning which could compromise flowering the following year.
Fertilization
Enrich the soil at planting time with well-decomposed compost. An annual application of compost at the base in spring is sufficient to maintain fertility. No need for specific fertilizer if the soil is properly prepared.
Diseases and pests
Balearic honeysuckle is generally robust. Watch for aphids and scale insects if growing in containers. Excess moisture can promote powdery mildew; ensure good air circulation and avoid wetting the foliage late in the day.
Did you know?
The Balearic honeysuckle, endemic to the Balearic Islands, is a precious botanical relic that has fascinated Mediterranean naturalists. Its tubular flowers, initially white then pink, are fragrant and constitute an essential source of nectar for local pollinators, particularly nocturnal butterflies. Its French name 'chèvrefeuille' comes from the old belief that goats particularly sought out this plant.
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.