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Woodbine

Lonicera periclymenum

Common names:
woodbine, woodbine honeysuckle

Content Detail

Woodbine is a type of honeysuckle that vines. This species is very fragrant and has flowers that show a mix of yellow, white, and pink. 

  • Family (English) Honeysuckle
  • Family (botanic) Caprifoliaceae
  • Tree or plant type Vine
  • Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
  • Native locale Non-native
  • Size range Large plant (more than 24 inches)
  • Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
  • Hardiness zones Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8
  • Soil preference Moist, well-drained soil
  • Season of interest midsummer, late summer, early fall
  • Flower color and fragrance Fragrant, Pink, Purple, White, Yellow
  • Shape or form Vining
  • Growth rate Fast

Size and Method of Climbing:

Woodbine is a relatively short vine, growing only 10 to 12 feet long. It is a twining vine. Twining vines climb by twisting their stems or leaf stalks around a support. This type of vine grows well on trellises, arbors, wires, or chain-link fences.

Native geographic location and habitat:

Native to Europe and Asia.

Leaf description:

Simple, opposite leaves are dark green in summer. Leaf margins are entire. Little color change in fall.

Flower description:

Tubular flowers are in clusters. Flowers are yellowish white with a tinge of pink or purple and are very fragrant.

Fruit description:

Red berries appear in late summer and fall.

Plant Care:

Woodbine tolerates full sun to part shade and is best in moist, well-drained soils.

List of pests, diseases, and tolerances: 

No serious problems, but aphids can occur. Resistant to black walnut toxicity.

Berries Jubilee® woodbine (Lonicera periclymenum ‘Monul’): 

This cultivar has yellow flowers and red fruit.

Scentsation woodbine (Lonicera periclymenum ‘Scentsation’): 

Bright yellow, very fragrant flowers are produced in quantity. 

Serotina woodbine (Lonicera periclymenum ‘Serotina’):

Flowers are yellow on the inside and purplish on the outside.

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