Coral Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens

Coral Honeysuckle is native to much of the East Coast including Central and North Florida and can be planted in South Florida. It naturally grows along the edge of forests, and on hedgerows and fences.

Rich, moist to dry soils with abundant organic matter and sunlight are needed to produce a healthy plant full of red tubular flowers.

The leaves are green above and a light bluish green below. If pruning is needed, cut back to a leafy stem. Do not cut to bare stems.

I have found that keeping the soil moist with occasional watering during drought is best for this plant. If planted in dry soil and neglected in South Florida, it will die out over a few months.

This is a great plant to grow on a fence, trellis, or woven into palm boots or tree branches. It makes a decent groundcover that rambles over boulders, down terrace walls, logs and other objects.

The bright red bitter berries are attractive to songbirds. The flowers have enough nectar that they can be plucked and the end sucked on for a drop of nectar. Don’t eat the flowers though.

Butterflies, hummingbirds and bumble bees visit the flowers. See this article for more info on bees, click here.

I would not eat any part of this plant. Although it is not deadly poisonous, it will make you sick. For more info on this click here.

Here is a good site for more info, click here.