Wild Honeysuckle 'Belgica'

Known commonly as the 'Early Dutch Honeysuckle', this is a classic choice for the traditional UK garden. It is a vigorous, deciduous twining climber with a bushy habit. It is prized for its early flowering, producing clusters of highly fragrant, tubular flowers in late spring and early summer. The flowers are attractively bicoloured, being a deep purplish-red on the outside and yellow on the inside, eventually fading to a solid yellow. These are often followed in autumn by small, bright red berries which are attractive to birds. It is a tough and reliable plant, fully hardy throughout the UK. It is well-suited for growing up a trellis, through a hedge, or over a garden arch. It prefers a position with its roots in cool, moist shade and its foliage in sun or partial shade. Regular pruning after flowering will help maintain its shape and prevent the base from becoming too bare and leggy.

Sun: Full sun to partial shade.

Soil: Fertile, moist but well-drained soil.

Hardiness: H6 — down to −20°C.

Flowering: May, Jun, Jul.