Yellow Honeysuckle, Pale Yellow Honeysuckle, Lonicera flava var. flavescens, Lonicera flavida
Lonicera flava, commonly known as Yellow Honeysuckle, is a climbing, twining vine that belongs to the honeysuckle family, Caprifoliaceae. This deciduous plant showcases vibrant yellow flowers that add a burst of color to gardens and landscapes.
Native: This species is native to parts of the United States, mainly found in southeastern and central states. Its natural habitat includes woodlands and forested areas, usually alongside streams and rivers. The plant is considered endangered in some states
Plant Type and Habit: Lonicera flava is a deciduous woody vine that twines itself around other plants and structures. It has a habit of climbing, usually ascending on trellises, fences, or other support structures.
Size: This vine typically grows to a height of 10-20 feet (3-6 meters) and 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 meters) wide.
Flowers: Its striking feature is its tubular, trumpet-shaped yellow flowers grown in whorls. The flowers are about 1-1.5 inches (2-4 cm) long and have a mild, pleasing fragrance. They give way to small, round, orange to red berries berries in late summer and fall. These berries offer a food source for birds and wildlife.
Bloom Time: The bloom time for Lonicera flava generally ranges from mid to late spring, offering a prolonged period of visual interest.
Foliage: Paired along the stems, elliptic green leaves, up to 3.5 inches (8 cm) in length, exhibit a grayish-green underside. The uppermost leaves on each stem are fused at their bases. The foliage provides a nice contrast to the bright yellow flowers.
Hardiness: It is a fairly hardy plant, generally able to tolerate USDA zones 5-8. However, it does appreciate some protection from strong winds and extreme cold.
Uses: The plant is often used in landscape design for covering fences, trellises, and other vertical structures.
Wildlife: Lonicera flava is a magnet for pollinators. Hummingbirds and various types of butterflies are particularly drawn to the nectar-rich flowers. Birds are attracted to the berries.
Deer and Rabbits: While it’s not entirely resistant to deer and rabbits, this species is not usually their first choice for foraging, making it a reasonably safe bet in gardens that have these animals.
Toxicity: It is generally not considered to be toxic to humans or pets, but consuming large quantities is not recommended.
Invasiveness: One of the benefits of Lonicera flava is that it is not considered invasive in most of its native range, unlike some other species of honeysuckle.
Lonicera flava stands out as a valuable addition to many types of gardens, from naturalistic settings to formal landscape designs, thanks to its captivating yellow blooms, hardy nature, and attraction for pollinators.
Growing Lonicera flava is relatively straightforward.
By following these guidelines, you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful, fragrant blooms of your Lonicera flava for many years to come.
Hardiness |
5 - 8 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Climbers |
Plant Family | Caprifoliaceae |
Genus | Lonicera |
Common names | Honeysuckle |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Mid, Late), |
Height | 10' - 20' (3m - 6.1m) |
Spread | 3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm) |
Spacing | 36" - 72" (90cm - 180cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | United States, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, Illinois, Kansas, Ohio, Missouri, Georgia, Kentucky, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Oklahoma |
Tolerance | Deer |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Ground Covers, Wall-Side Borders, Walls And Fences |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
Hardiness |
5 - 8 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Climbers |
Plant Family | Caprifoliaceae |
Genus | Lonicera |
Common names | Honeysuckle |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Mid, Late), |
Height | 10' - 20' (3m - 6.1m) |
Spread | 3' - 6' (90cm - 180cm) |
Spacing | 36" - 72" (90cm - 180cm) |
Maintenance | Low |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | United States, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, Illinois, Kansas, Ohio, Missouri, Georgia, Kentucky, Arkansas, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Oklahoma |
Tolerance | Deer |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Ground Covers, Wall-Side Borders, Walls And Fences |
Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
How many Lonicera flava (Yellow Honeysuckle) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Lonicera flava (Yellow Honeysuckle) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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