Attract Hummingbirds with the Classic Honeysuckle Vine

Honeysuckle vines flower in many different colors. This evergreen vine is fast growing. It can grow up to 30 feet tall and a few feet wide.

Honeysuckle usually blooms in March. As an extra bonus, the beautiful tubular flowers attract hummingbirds.

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Table of Contents

Everything You Need to Know to Grow Honeysuckle Vine in Phoenix

Types of Honeysuckle
When & How to Plant Honeysuckle in gardening zone 9
Does the vine prefer sun or shade?
Is the vine drought tolerant?
How fast and how big does the plant grow?
Does the vine attract or deter any wildlife?
When does it bloom?
How do I care for Honeysuckle vines?

Types of Honeysuckle Vines

There are several common varieties of honeysuckle vines you may find at your local nursery.

Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica)

One of the most well-known and widely planted varieties, Japanese honeysuckle is a true classic. With its fragrant white and yellow flowers, this vine is a favorite among gardeners and hummingbirds alike.

It grows vigorously in gardening zones 4 – 9b, so it’s perfect for covering fences, trellises, or even providing a lush ground cover. Keep in mind it can become invasive if not carefully managed. Think about your garden space – do you have a spot where this beauty can roam freely?

Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)

Trumpet Honeysuckle is popular here in the southwest and thrives in USDA gardening zones 5a to 10b. Its striking red and orange tubular flowers are like beacons for hummingbirds, drawing them in with their vibrant colors and sweet nectar.

This variety is a fantastic choice for Arizona gardens. It’s a hardy plant that can withstand the heat and still put on a show-stopping display. Can you picture these vivid blossoms brightening up a corner of your garden?

Trumpet Honeysuckle (Lonicera ciliosa)

If you live in USDA gardening zones 4-8, the Lonicera ciliosa trumpet honeysuckle might be just what you need. This variety boasts clusters of tubular orange flowers that resemble tiny trumpets.

It thrives in full sun and can handle partial shade, making it quite versatile. Reflect on your garden layout – do you have a sunny spot that could use a splash of bold, trumpet-shaped flowers?

European Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum)

Gardens in USDA gardening zones 4-8 may want to add a touch of old world charm with the European honeysuckle. This variety offers highly fragrant flowers that transition from white to yellow, creating a lovely two-tone effect. It’s a bit more refined in its growth, perfect for a more controlled garden setting. This variety prefers shade or partial shade and can grow up to 20 feet tall.

Evergreen Honeysuckle (Lonicera henryi)

For year-round greenery, evergreen honeysuckle is your go-to. It provides continuous foliage and occasional yellow flowers that add brightness even in the off-season. This variety is perfect for creating privacy screens or covering unsightly garden structures. Think about those areas in your garden that could benefit from a bit of evergreen magic – wouldn’t this be the perfect solution?

USDA gardening zones: 4-8
Sun: prefers shade

Best Type of Honeysuckle Vines for Phoenix

Trumpet Honeysuckle also called Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a good variety to choose if you are gardening in Phoenix. It can withstand the intense summers in Arizona. While the vine does love the sun, it does best with partial shade in hot climates like Phoenix.

When and How to Plant Honeysuckle

Plant in the spring or fall.

Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball of the plant. Honeysuckle is a forgiving plant, but it needs well-draining soil. Amend clay soil with organic matter.

Provide a trellis, arbor or pole for the vine to climb. Mulch in the winter

How Fast and How Much Space Does Honeysuckle Take?

Honeysuckle is a rapidly growing vine. Once it gets warm the plant grows very quickly. It can grow up to 12 feet in one year.

Honeysuckle vines are known for their vigorous growth. Depending on the variety, these plants can grow rapidly, often reaching 15 to 30 feet in length within a few years. They can cover trellises, fences, and arbors, creating a lush, green backdrop in your garden.

Guideline

Height: 15-30 feet.

Width: up to 10 feet wide

How to Care for Honeysuckle

Plant Zone: gardening zones 5-9.

Light Requirements: Requires full sun or at least 6 – 8 hours of sun a day. They will get leggy if they don’t receive enough sun.

Soil Requirements: Prefers fertile well-drained soil. If your soil has a lot of clay mix in an organic soil amendment to improve the soil structure. The vine prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH range, ideally between 5.5 and 7.5

Water Requirements: When first planted it’s important to keep the soil consistently moist to help the vine establish it’s root system. Water regularly and deeply about an inch of water per week. Once established, the honeysuckle vine is drought tolerant. Water deep. If in full sun water at least weekly in the summer.