Encyclopaedia - Clematis - Źródło Dobrych Pnączy
Plant name
Plants height
from:     to: 
Annual growth
from:     to: 
Frost resistance zone
from:     to: 

Delavay honeysuckle

Lonicera similis var. delavayi

Delavay honeysuckle

Lonicera similis var. delavayi

Decoration form fragrant flowers
Color of flowers white, yellow, fragrant
Flowering month VI, VII, VIII, IX, X VI, VII, VIII, IX, X
Evergreen plant no
Plants height 4-6 m
Annual growth 1-2 m
Aspect sun, 1/2 sun, 1/4 sun, shadow
Frost hardiness 6A - 9 Zones 6A - 9

Fast-growing climber with flowers initially white, then yellow, of an intensive, pleasant fragrance. Free-flowering for a long time ‑ from June till October.


WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE: Semi-evergreen, lanceolate, pointed, dark green leaves provide a handsome background for flowers. Tubular flowers (5-6 cm long), initially white, then yellow, of strong and pleasant fragrance. They appear from June to September.

HOW IT GROWS: A climber with shoots twining around supports. It is fast and strong growing, reaching 4˗6 m high; the annual growth is 1˗2 m.

WHERE TO PLANT: It prefers bright, but not permanently sun-exposed places. Tolerates average soils if they are not too poor and dry. Not fully hardy (zone 6A˗9). It can freeze in severe winters.

HOW TO PLANT AND GROW: Before planting, immerse the potted plant in a water-filled container for 10-30 min. Place the plant in a 40 x 40 x 40 cm pit, with a 10-cm layer of well-rotten manure or compost soil at the bottom, 0.5-1 cm deeper than it was before. Fill the pit with fertile soil.  The climber should be planted at least 30 cm from walls or other plants. It does not require pruning, but it bears the procedure well. It is best to prune in spring (March) to not limit the summer blooming. Every couple of years as springtime rejuvenating pruning is recommended.

HOW TO APPLY: Great for growing in home gardens, over pergolas, arbors, fences etc. Also suitable as a ground cover. The cultivar is disease resistant and undemanding.

ORIGIN: Yunnan Province, China.