Kamperfoelie

Lonicera periclymenum

Engels: Honeysuckle

climberCaprifoliaceae🇳🇱 Inheems

Kamperfoelie (Lonicera periclymenum) is a native to the Netherlands climber from the Caprifoliaceae family that grows up to 7 meters tall. This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and requires low maintenance. Blooms in summer and late summer with yellow, pink, white flowers and attracts bees and butterflies and birds.

Hoogte

300–700 cm

Breedte

150–300 cm

Zonligging

full sun, partial shade

Waterbehoefte

moderate

Grondsoort

loam, clay soil, chalky soil

Onderhoud

low maintenance

Bloeitijd

summer, late summer

Bloemkleuren

yellow, pink, white

Ecologische waarde

Trekt bijen aan

🦋 Trekt vlinders aan

Trekt vogels aan

Verzorgingskalender

Taak	Jan	Feb	Mrt	Apr	Mei	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Okt	Nov	Dec
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Care tips

Planting

Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) thrives in full sun or partial shade, though flowering is most abundant with at least four hours of direct sunlight daily. It tolerates a wide range of soils—loam, clay, and chalky—provided drainage is reasonable. Before planting, dig a hole roughly twice the width of the root ball and work in a generous amount of well-rotted compost or manure to improve soil structure and moisture retention. Plant container-grown honeysuckle in March, April, May, September, or October. Autumn planting is often ideal because the soil is still warm and rainfall helps establishment, but spring planting works well if you can water reliably through the first summer. Position the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil—planting too deep can lead to stem rot. Space plants 150 cm apart if you're planting more than one, or position a single specimen where it has room to spread 150–300 cm. Immediately after planting, water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots and eliminate air pockets. Apply a 5–8 cm layer of organic mulch (bark chips, garden compost, or leaf mould) around the base, keeping it a few centimetres clear of the stems to prevent rot. Honeysuckle is a vigorous climber that will quickly reach 300–700 cm, so install sturdy support at planting time—trellis, wires on a wall, or a pergola. Tie in the main stems loosely with soft twine to guide initial growth. Water weekly for the first growing season, especially in dry spells, to encourage a deep, drought-tolerant root system.

Pruning

Honeysuckle requires only light pruning to keep it healthy and within bounds. The best time is February or March, just before new growth begins. Pruning at this time allows you to see the framework clearly and avoids cutting off the current season's flowering shoots, as Lonicera periclymenum blooms on both old and new wood during summer and late summer. Start by removing any dead, damaged, or diseased stems entirely, cutting back to healthy wood or to the base. Next, thin out congested growth in the centre of the plant to improve air circulation and reduce the risk of powdery mildew, a common problem in crowded, shaded tangles. Cut out about one in three of the oldest, woodiest stems at ground level to encourage fresh, vigorous growth from the base. This also prevents the plant becoming a bare, leggy mass at the bottom with all the flowers out of sight at the top. If your honeysuckle has outgrown its space or become unruly, you can prune more drastically. It tolerates hard renovation: cut the entire plant back to 30–60 cm above ground level in late winter. You'll sacrifice one season's flowers, but the plant will regenerate strongly. Use clean, sharp secateurs for stems up to pencil thickness and loppers or a pruning saw for anything thicker. After pruning, tie in the remaining or emerging stems to their support and apply a general-purpose fertiliser and a fresh layer of mulch to fuel regrowth.

Maintenance

Once established, honeysuckle has moderate water needs and tolerates short dry spells, but performs best with consistent moisture during spring and summer. Water deeply every seven to ten days in dry weather, especially while the plant is flowering. In autumn and winter, rainfall is usually sufficient. Avoid overhead watering if possible, as wet foliage encourages powdery mildew. Feed in March and April to support the flush of new growth and the long flowering season. A general-purpose granular fertiliser (such as Growmore or blood, fish, and bone) scattered around the base at the rate recommended on the packet is ideal. Water it in if rain isn't forecast. Alternatively, apply a 5 cm layer of well-rotted compost or manure as a mulch in early spring; this feeds the soil steadily and helps retain moisture. Honeysuckle is fully hardy (zone 4a–9b) and needs no winter protection in temperate Europe. The main pest is aphids, which cluster on soft new shoots in spring and early summer, often causing distorted growth and sticky honeydew. Squash small infestations by hand or spray with insecticidal soap. Powdery mildew—white, dusty patches on leaves—is common in dry soil or congested growth; improve air circulation by thinning, mulch to keep roots moist, and remove affected leaves. Refresh the mulch layer each spring to suppress weeds and conserve moisture. Honeysuckle is low-maintenance overall: tie in wayward stems occasionally, deadhead spent flowers if you have time (though this isn't essential), and enjoy the fragrant summer display with minimal fuss.