Lonicera sempervirens L.

Trumpet Honeysuckle; Coral Honeysuckle

Vine

Perennial

Vascular

Coral Honeysuckle is a native evergreen or tardily deciduous woody vine in the Honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). It is native to all of Alabama. Coral Honeysuckle grows along fence rows, in cut-over woodlands, in dry to mesic forests openings, and along forest edges. It is a woody vine climbing by twining. The vines may reach lengths of 20-25 feet. Young shoots are smooth. Older stems have papery bark that peels in long, thin strips. Leaves are opposite, short petiolate, oblong to elliptic in outline, with entire margins. The leaves are glaucous beneath. The upper 1-2 pairs of leaves just below the inflorescence are rounded and connate-perfoliate. Flowers are produced in terminal spikes. The calyx is absent or 5 minute lobes. The corolla is tubular with 5 short lobes. Flowers are typically pendant. Flower color is a vivid red with yellow or orange on the interior. A yellow flowered form is commonly available from nurseries. The fruit is a red berry. Coral Honeysuckle is widely cultivated on mailboxes, porches, and fences throughout Alabama. Several cultivars are available from nurseries including 'Sulphurea' with yellow flowers, 'Superba' with bright scarlet flowers and ovate leaves, and 'Magnifica' a late-flowering form. Coral Honeysuckle is not as aggressive as the introduced Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica Thunberg). It prefers a sunny location with a trellis for climbing. Coral Honeysuckle can be rooted from softwood cuttings or by layering. It is a favorite of Hummingbirds.--A. Diamond

**

Native FAC (NWPL)

**