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Resources < Wildlife Habitats < Native Plants < Native Plant Database < Lonicera sempervirens
Want to festoon a sunny arbor, fence, trellis, porch rail, or mailbox with flowers? Then plant coral honeysuckle. This easygoing, drought-tolerant vine is loaded with red flowers in spring, and blooming continues on and off until frost. The flowers are a high-quality nectar source and a favorite of ruby-throated hummingbirds. Bluebirds, mockingbirds, cedar waxwings, evening grosbeaks, and gray catbirds feed on the shiny tomato-red berries in summer and fall. Coral honeysuckle is a host plant for the lovely violet-blue spring azure butterfly; keep an eye out for tiny pea-green eggs and brown-headed caterpillars.
Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)
Semi-evergreen woody vine with rounded blue-green leaves in an opposite arrangement. Red, tube-shaped flowers bloom heavily in spring and sporadically in summer and fall; orange-red berries are available in summer and fall.
15 to 25 feet high.
Twining.
Fast.
Full to part sun.
Coral honeysuckle is tough, drought tolerant, and adaptable to a variety of habitat types. For best results, plant in moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil and lots of sun; provide support.
Assets include semi-evergreen leaves and a profusion of bright red flowers in spring.
A great choice for mailboxes, arbors, trellises, and fences. A must-have for the hummingbird garden!
Flowers attract ruby-throated hummingbirds; songbirds eat the berries.
Found throughout Georgia in open woodlands and fencerows and along roadsides.
Seed, cuttings.
Written by Leslie Kimel, Georgia Wildlife Federation
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Coral Honeysuckle
