Lonicera x heckrottii 'Gold Flame'
Common Names: honeysuckle 'Gold Flame'
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Features:
Tubular, arranged in terminal whorls, deep pink outside and orange-yellow
Sunlight: Full/Partial shade
Ultimate Height: 4 - 8 meters
Ultimate Spread: 2.5 - 4 meter
Flowering: Summer
Care:
Check and water regularly during the first spring and summer after planting to aid root growth and help the plant establish.
Once established, they will only need the occasional soak during hot summers. However, walls and fences create a rain shadow (a dry area) so, even if it has rained a little, do check the soil and give them a good soak if dry
Feeding
Feed once a year in spring if you wish with a general fertiliser, such as Growmore or Blood, Fish and Bone, following the instructions on the pack
They will also benefit from a yearly mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds.
Deadheading
Remember to leave on the browning flower heads to encourage berries for extra interest and as food for the birds
Overwintering
The majority of climbing honeysuckles are hardy and don’t require winter protection
Caring for older plants
Keep on top of pruning to prevent older plants from becoming overgrown thickets
In a wildlife garden, you may wish to keep them a little bit unkempt for nesting birds