The bicolored tubular flowers and lustrous oval leaves of the goldflame honeysuckle plant make this perennial vine a great option for decorative usage on trellises, arbors, and fences. It is important to provide at least six hours of direct sunshine every day for this hybrid plant, which is a cross between Lonicera americana and Lonicera sempervirens, so that it may flourish. Even in partial shade, it thrives on soil that is slightly acidic to neutral in pH.
The fragrant vine of the goldflame honeysuckle may quickly grow to a height of 15 feet if it is not pruned back. This plant is semi-evergreen in warmer areas and deciduous in colder zones. However, it is possible to prune it into a voluminous shrub that reaches a height of six feet, making it an excellent choice for use as a privacy screen.
Hummingbirds and butterflies are drawn to the goldflame honeysuckle because its tubular flowers secrete a tasty nectar. The pink and yellow or coral petals of its blossoms contrast beautifully, like a fireworks display going off. The occasional fruit it bears is a treat for the birds but is poisonous to humans. The attractive blossoms will not be eaten by deer, making this plant ideal for any garden.
The goldflame honeysuckle is a gorgeous and non-invasive addition to any garden because of its trait. It is important to provide this plant with full light and well-drained soil. Maintain a consistent watering schedule for the first year to help it get its roots established, but don’t let it dry out. To keep it at a manageable size and form, prune it once a year.
Goldflame honeysuckle, for optimal flowering, should be planted in full sun. The plant will thrive if allowed to climb on light poles or mailboxes. The fact that it grows well in dappled shade makes it a desirable plant for arbors. The goldflame honeysuckle thrives in acidic, well-drained soil. A young plant needs plenty of water when its roots are spreading out, but too much water can kill it. This twining vine thrives in temperatures between 45 and 60 degrees Fahrenheit, with moderate humidity. When the temperature outdoors is over 95 degrees Fahrenheit, its growth rate often decreases. Goldflame honeysuckle is cold hardy to temperatures in the twenties and may be pruned in the winter to limit its vigorous spring growth. Applying a general-purpose fertilizer with a 3-1-2 NPK ratio each spring is recommended for optimal development. Minimal pruning in the first two years after planting is essential for the vine’s health and growth.
Propagating goldflame honeysuckle is as simple as layering or clipping its leaves. In the early spring, you should layer by burying the middle of a vine that is still connected and then watering it regularly until roots form. Take 6- to 8-inch-long leaf cuttings, dip them in rooting hormone, and plant them in a tiny pot of well-drained soil. Planting mature berries that have been cold stratified is another option for producing seeds. This robust plant, which can survive temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit, has to be repotted on a regular basis. The sweet-smelling, bicolored blossoms of the Goldflame honeysuckle bloom consistently from June through August (and even into early September in warmer regions). Plant in a sunny location, fertilize, and prune to promote additional flowers. Don’t snip off the flowers just after they bloom since they can turn into berries and spread the plant’s seeds.
