Lonicera periclymenum, common names honeysuckle, common honeysuckle, European honeysuckle, or woodbine, is a species of flowering plant in the family Caprifoliaceae native to much of Europe, North Africa, Turkey and the Caucasus. It is found as far north as southern Norway, Sweden and Finland.
Description
Growing to or more in height, it is a vigorous deciduous twining climber, occasionally keeping its old leaves over winter. In the UK it is the only native honeysuckle. It is often found in woodland, scrubland, and in hedgerows.
The tubular, two-lipped flowers, creamy white or yellowish in colour, may be flushed with pink or red on the outside and in bud, and are carried in showy clusters at the ends of the shoots.
Cultivation
Lonicera periclymenum is one of several honeysuckle species valued in the garden, for its ability to twine around other plants, or to cover unsightly walls or outbuildings; and for the intense fragrance of its profuse flowers in summer. It needs to be planted with its roots in the shade, and its flowering top in sun or light shade. Plants need to be chosen with care as they can grow to a substantial size. and 'Serotina' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
thumb|right|Woodbine on a willow tree
Pests
Chromatomyia aprilina – honeysuckle leaf miner
Cultural references
In William Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night's Dream he refers to woodbine/honeysuckle twice:
- (Act II Scene 1) "Quite overcanopied with luscious woodbine"
- (Act IV Scene 1) "So doth the woodbine the sweet honeysuckle gently entwine"
It seems probable that the first quotation is referring to the honeysuckle L. periclymenum, a common sight in hedgerows in Shakespeare’s time. The second quotation is somewhat more confusing. It is thought that on this occasion, "woodbine" refers to a species of Convolvulus, also very common but nowadays called "bindweed".