Honeysuckle is a popular climbing plant known for its fragrant and unusual flowers. Under the right conditions, honeysuckle plants can quickly grow two to three feet per growing season, quickly covering garden walls and fences with yellow, white, pink or red flowers.
Honeysuckle can be grown in containers, so even in a small garden, on a patio or even a balcony, you can easily add vertical accents to your space. Honeysuckle in your outdoor space will be equally popular with gardeners and pollinators like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds – and who wouldn’t love to watch a hummingbird nibbling on the nectar of a colorful flower in the summer?
This year, learn how to grow honeysuckle in pots and let this fast-growing climber vine up your garden walls, trellises and structures. Here, a gardening expert reveals how to grow honeysuckle in pots to guarantee floral success in any space.
How to grow honeysuckle in pots
Honeysuckle is one of the most beautiful climbing plants and is known for filling large fences, walls or buildings with fragrant blooms. If you’re looking for pot gardening ideas this year, why not try growing this popular plant in a pot? Growing honeysuckle is not complicated and with the right care, this climbing plant will give you months of enjoyment during the spring and summer.
Growing tips for honeysuckle in pots
Honeysuckle plants are easy to grow in containers as long as they are given the right conditions. Honeysuckle generally grows best in U.S. hardiness zones 5 through 10 and thrives in partial shade and partially shaded locations.
“Honeysuckle plants can easily be grown in pots,” says Drew Swainstonexperienced gardener and content editor for Houses & Gardens. “They prefer dappled shade, so it’s a good idea to place your pot somewhere in the garden where there is morning sun. or Afternoon sun, not both.’
As for soil, it’s best to fill your pot with a “moisture-retaining, humus-rich soil,” adds Drew. “Keep in mind that pots and containers can dry out quickly during the summer months, so use organic compost combined with some mulch to retain moisture and help your honeysuckle thrive.” Organic potting soil is available at Walmart.
“Honeysuckle plants can grow very vigorously and need support,” Drew continues. “There are many ideas for climbing plant supports, but I would recommend a trellis, archway, or homemade structure for your honeysuckle to climb and vine up.” Supports and structures are available at Walmart.
As your honeysuckle grows, be sure to tie in new shoots where you want your climber to grow. “In addition to tying, it’s also important to regularly maintain and prune your plant,” adds Drew. “Don’t be afraid to trim off unwanted shoots and guide your plant to fill a designated area.” Pruning is best done after flowering, usually in late summer.
“Be sure to water your honeysuckle pots regularly during the spring and summer,” Drew continues. “In warm weather, pots can dry out very quickly, so keep an eye on your pots every few days.”
Finally, it’s also a good idea to use a bloom booster fertilizer (available on Amazon) to encourage your honeysuckle to produce more flowers. Fertilize throughout the spring and early summer, stopping around August when the blooming season is coming to an end.
Garden obelisk trellis for climbing plants
Sturdy, lightweight garden structure for your climbing plants. This design is sturdy yet lightweight and will help you showcase your prized climbing plants.
Recommended honeysuckle varieties for pots
Most honeysuckle species are suitable for growing in containers, so it’s a matter of personal preference as to what you grow. Many of the best honeysuckle species have colorful, bright flowers, so no matter what you choose, these climbing plants will add impact to your space.
Try the Gold Flame variety, available at Walmart. This striking yellow-red variety is ideal for colorful container growing. Or, for an unusual choice, consider one of the native honeysuckle plants, such as Lonicera sempervirens?
Native honeysuckle trumpet plants, available on Amazon, have tubular red flowers and are popular with hummingbirds. This variety is sure to fill your garden with fragrant blooms and attract plenty of pollinators to stop by.
With its white and magenta flowers, this honeysuckle is the eye-catcher in your garden and fills it with a sweet scent in summer.
FAQ
Are there any honeysuckle species that are invasive?
Yes, unfortunately several species of honeysuckle are considered invasive plants. Growing them in pots is a great way to care for and maintain vigorous plants, but it is always best to check with your local authority or government agency to find out which species should and should not be grown in your area. For example: Lonicera morrowii, Lonicera maackii, Lonicera x bella And Japanese Lonicera are considered invasive in various parts of the US and UK, so do your research before ordering plants.
Why not grow honeysuckle as part of a garden hedge in front of or behind your house? With their fragrant, colourful flowers, honeysuckle plants can be incorporated as part of hedges for pollinators, attracting bees, birds and butterflies all summer long.
