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Coral Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens

The Hummingbird Beacon: Vertical Vitality with Coral Honeysuckle


The Snapshot

  • Common Name: Coral Honeysuckle, Trumpet Honeysuckle

  • Scientific Name: Lonicera sempervirens

  • Origin: Native to the Eastern United States

  • Hardiness: Zones 4 – 9

  • The "Vibe": Energetic, graceful, and athletic; the "gold medal" vine for wildlife enthusiasts.

Why We Love It

Unlike the invasive Japanese Honeysuckle that plagues many woodlands, Coral Honeysuckle is a well-behaved native. It climbs by twining, meaning it won’t tear apart your siding or choke out your trees. It features distinctive "fused" leaves at the ends of the stems that look like small green saucers. From late spring through mid-summer (and often sporadically until frost), it produces clusters of trumpet-shaped, coral-red flowers with sunny yellow interiors.


The Hummingbird Connection

If you want to see hummingbirds, this is the #1 plant to own!!

  • The Perfect Fit: The long, tubular shape of the flowers is evolutionarily "locked" to the beak of the Ruby-throated Hummingbird.

  • The Color Trigger: Hummingbirds are naturally drawn to the "Coral" spectrum.

  • Early Season Fuel: In many regions, this vine begins blooming just as hummingbirds are migrating north, providing a critical high-calorie pit stop.

Ecosystem & Wildlife Impact

  • Berry Buffet: After the flowers fade, they are replaced by bright red berries that are a favorite for Goldfinches, Hermit Thrushes, and Purple Finches.

  • Host Plant: It is a primary larval host for the Snowberry Clearwing Moth (the "Hummingbird Moth") and the Spring Azure Butterfly.

  • Shelter: The dense, twining habit provides excellent nesting cover for small songbirds.

Designer Tips: Where to Plant

  • The "Living Wallpaper": Train it up a trellis, arbor, or fence near a window. This allows you to watch the "Hummingbird Airshow" from the comfort of your home.

  • Mailbox Magic: It is the perfect scale for wrapping around a mailbox post. It adds instant curb appeal without becoming an overgrown mess.

  • The Wildlife Hedge: Interweave it through a chain-link fence to turn a "hard" utility feature into a soft, flowering habitat.

Designer Pro-Tip: To get the most flowers, plant it in your sunniest spot. While the vine will grow happily in the shade, the flower production will be much lower. If your vine looks "thin" at the bottom, prune back some of the top stems in late winter to encourage more "bushy" growth lower down.


Stories from the Garden

"I planted 'Major Wheeler' on a trellis outside my kitchen window. Last summer, I counted three different hummingbirds visiting at the same time! It blooms for so much longer than my other perennials. It’s easily the hardest-working plant in my garden."

— Bethany K., Zone 6 Gardener


A Growing Story: The Hummingbird Moth Mystery

A customer once called us worried about a "baby hummingbird" that was out at dusk and looked "a little fuzzy." We told her to look closer—it was a Snowberry Clearwing Moth! Because she planted Coral Honeysuckle, she got to witness one of the coolest mimicry acts in nature.

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