Honeysuckle: Hummingbird Trumpet Vine
Lonicera sempervirens
Native coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is the non-invasive, hummingbird-magnet cousin of the weedy Japanese honeysuckle. Tubular red-orange blooms from spring to frost. Well-behaved on trellises and arbors.
Specifications
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Hardiness zones
- 4–9
- Height
- 10–20 ft
- Bloom time
- Late spring to frost
Care & growing tips
Plant in well-drained soil in full sun for best blooming. Provide a trellis or support. Prune in late winter to shape. Choose native Lonicera sempervirens "Major Wheeler" or "Dropmore Scarlet" — avoid Japanese honeysuckle (L. japonica), which is invasive.
Companion plants
03Find honeysuckle in your zone
12Zone-specific care, planting windows, and alternatives.
- Z4 Honeysuckle in Zone 4
- Z5 Honeysuckle in Zone 5
- Z6 Honeysuckle in Zone 6
- Z7 Honeysuckle in Zone 7
- Z7a Honeysuckle in Zone 7a
- Z7b Honeysuckle in Zone 7b
- Z8 Honeysuckle in Zone 8
- Z8a Honeysuckle in Zone 8a
- Z8b Honeysuckle in Zone 8b
- Z9 Honeysuckle in Zone 9
- Z9a Honeysuckle in Zone 9a
- Z9b Honeysuckle in Zone 9b
Frequently Asked Questions
01 Is all honeysuckle invasive?
No — only Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and bush honeysuckles (L. maackii, L. morrowii) are invasive. Native coral honeysuckle (L. sempervirens) is well-behaved, non-invasive, and a hummingbird magnet. Always check the species before buying.
02 Does coral honeysuckle smell like the invasive kind?
No — coral honeysuckle (L. sempervirens) has little fragrance. If fragrance is the goal, look for native L. prolifera (grape honeysuckle) or plant non-invasive alternatives like confederate jasmine. The tradeoff: less fragrance, but you won't smother the neighborhood.
03 When should I prune coral honeysuckle?
Late winter to shape, before new growth starts. Light prune after the first flush of flowers to encourage rebloom. Coral honeysuckle blooms on both old and new wood, so timing is forgiving compared to many vines.
