Lonicera periclymenum ‘Serotina’

Lonicera periclymenum ‘Serotina’, often known as Late Dutch Honeysuckle or Woodbine, is a cherished deciduous climber that has earned the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit for very good reason. We particularly love its generous display of highly scented, tubular flowers which emerge from striking crimson buds, opening to reveal beautiful red-purple outsides and creamy-yellow throats. This vigorous honeysuckle provides a prolonged period of interest, blooming reliably from late spring right through to the first frosts, attracting a wealth of pollinators to the garden. The dark green, oval leaves, often with a bluish-green underside, provide a lush backdrop to the vibrant blooms.

This adaptable climber thrives in full sun to partial shade, though we often recommend a position where its roots are kept cool in shade, while its foliage can reach for the sun, especially in hotter climates. It prefers a moist but well-drained, humus-rich soil, and while it tolerates a range of soil types, amending heavy or clay soils with organic matter will certainly encourage the best performance. Once established, ‘Serotina’ shows good drought tolerance. It’s also remarkably hardy, happily growing throughout most of the UK.

Pruning is minimal and best carried out immediately after flowering to encourage new growth for the following season’s blooms; simply cut back flowered shoots by about one-third to maintain its shape and vigour. Following the delightful flowers, translucent red berries appear, providing a welcome feast for garden birds in late summer and autumn. ‘Serotina’ is an excellent choice for cottage gardens, gracefully scrambling over walls, fences, trellises, or even through small trees. Its dense habit also makes it superb for screening, creating secluded and fragrant havens in your outdoor space.