Coral Honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)

Also known as: trumpet honeysuckle

Quick Facts

• Type: vine
• Size: to 15-20 ft long
• Sun: full
• Water: moderate
• Soil: Sandy to loamy, well-drained soils
• USDA zones: 8-10

Clusters of coral-red trumpet flowers bloom spring through fall; hummingbirds visit daily.

The well-behaved native honeysuckle, nothing like invasive Japanese honeysuckle; red berries feed birds in fall.

In the Landscape

The native honeysuckle for trellises, arbors, fences, and mailbox posts. Give it something sturdy to climb and stand back — hummingbirds will find it within days.

Care & Propagation

Plant in spring in full sun to part shade. Prune lightly after the main spring bloom to shape it. It is well-behaved compared to its invasive Japanese cousin — it climbs but doesn't smother.

Take semi-hardwood cuttings in summer, or layer a low stem in spring by pinning it to the soil until it roots. Seed works but is slow.

Wildlife Value

Trumpet-shaped red flowers are a hummingbird magnet and feed long-tongued bees and sphinx moths. Red berries in fall feed songbirds including robins and cedar waxwings.

🌱 Fun fact: This is the honeysuckle to plant instead of Japanese honeysuckle — same family charm, zero guilt. The flowers have no scent, which is how you know it's the well-behaved native.

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🌴 In Florida

The well-behaved native honeysuckle, nothing like invasive Japanese honeysuckle; red berries feed birds in fall.

🌿 Keep exploring

More Florida natives worth meeting:

• American Wisteria (Wisteria frutescens)
• Atlantic Pigeonwings (Clitoria mariana)
• Beach Morning Glory (Ipomoea imperati)