With their distinctive, bugle-shaped flowers (which often radiate a lovely scent) and lush foliage, it’s no wonder that honeysuckles are so popular here in the UK. Also known as woodbine, these woodland and hedgerow plants were even written about by the bard in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Much Ado About Nothing, putting the culture in horticulture…

But which honeysuckle is right for you, that’s what you want to know. Don’t worry, though, because we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll break down some of the best-performing varieties, including the best overall plant, the most fragrant varieties and the most appropriate honeysuckle for smaller spaces. First, though, how best to categorise these gorgeous plants?

Jump to:

• Types of honeysuckles
• Best overall honeysuckle
• Best honeysuckle for fragrance
• Best honeysuckle for wildlife
• Best evergreen honeysuckle
• Best honeysuckle for smaller spaces
• Best large honeysuckles
• Common honeysuckle questions

Types of honeysuckles

There are several different types of honeysuckle, and they can be broken down in several ways, including by species – European honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), for instance – by growth habit (shrubby or climbing) and by foliage type (deciduous or evergreen).

Best overall honeysuckle

Picking the best honeysuckle is a bit like asking a parent to choose their favourite child – but we’ll give it a good crack. We wanted something with RHS credentials, a delectable fragrance, jaw-droppingly gorgeous flowers (plus a good flowering season) and a nice, vigorous growth habit.

When we put all of those requirements into our fancy super-computer modelling software (read: Jack with a jug of strong coffee, a couple of bourbon biscuits and a plucky sense of determination), we came up with – drumroll, please – Lonicera periclymenum 'G.S. Thomas'.

Now, it’s worth stressing just what a tough decision this was, but this variety’s gloriously cheerful yellow blooms and sumptuous scent were simply too good to look past. Honourable mentions, however, also have to go to ‘Gold Flame’ and Tellmann's honeysuckle.

Best honeysuckle for fragrance

The intoxicating, heady scent of a honeysuckle’s flowers wafting through the air on a summer’s evening is something truly special. While many honeysuckles are scented, boasting delicate notes of vanilla, jasmine and orange blossom, some varieties are known to have a particularly fragrant aroma.

Both ‘Sweet Sue’ and ‘Heaven Scent’ could justifiably claim the title of being the best honeysuckle for fragrance, the sweet bouquet of their blooms leaving a lasting impression on the nose without ever being overpowering. If fragrance is your planting priority, then we’d recommend growing your honeysuckle over a seating area pergola to make the most of the smell.

Best honeysuckle for wildlife

The inviting trumpet shape and abundant nectar of the honeysuckle flower is known for attracting bees, butterflies (like the white admiral) and moths, while the autumn berries are a firm favourite of songbirds and dormice.

In fact, the Wildlife Trusts even go so far as to refer to honeysuckles as wildlife ‘hotels’, though we’re yet to see them produce any fancy mini toiletries we can pilfer, so the jury’s still out on that front.

Ultimately, most honeysuckles are good for wildlife, so you don’t need to worry too much about specific varieties, just know that, by getting a honeysuckle, you’re doing your bit to encourage more wildlife to visit your garden.

Best evergreen honeysuckle

If you want a honeysuckle that looks lush all year round, keeping its leaves in the winter, then you need an evergreen variety. Our pick is Hall’s Japanese honeysuckle, whose dark evergreen leaves provide a striking backdrop for the flaxen yellow flowers. It’s also fragrant, easy to grow and will happily clothe a boring wall or fence to add atmosphere and charm to your garden.

Best honeysuckle for smaller spaces

If you haven’t got enough space for a vigorous climber in your garden, then we’d recommend opting for a smaller, shrubby variety like winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima). Growing to a maximum height of just two or three metres, this honeysuckle is ideal for smaller spaces. Plus, it flowers in winter, adding a fragrant pop of colour in an otherwise bleak time of year.

Best large honeysuckles

If you want to make a real splash, then why not pick a European variety like ‘Serotina’ and ‘Belgica’, both of which can grow upwards of six metres in height, making them perfect for larger gardens that have plenty of space to fill.

Other common honeysuckle questions

How much light do honeysuckle plants need?

Being plants that commonly grow in woodlands, most honeysuckle varieties perform well in partially-shaded spots or dappled sunshine. They typically actually grow best when their roots are kept cool in the shade. They will still grow nicely enough in full sun, however.

Check out our honeysuckle planting guide here.

Do honeysuckle plants need to be pruned?

Your honeysuckle’s pruning requirements will depend on the type you have. Early-flowering climbing honeysuckles should be pruned after they’ve finished flowering, late-flowering climbing honeysuckles should be trimmed lightly in spring, and shrubby honeysuckles will typically only need tidying up if they’re getting out of hand.

Check out our article on pruning honeysuckle plants here.

Can you grow a honeysuckle in a pot?

Yes! You can grow less vigorous, smaller honeysuckle varieties in a large planter or pot, just make sure to give your plant some kind of support (like an obelisk or trellis) that its stems can twine around. Choose a freely-draining compost like John Innes No.3 and put your pot/planter on risers to prevent your plant from sitting in standing water.

Final thoughts

Whichever honeysuckle you end up picking, know that you’re getting a plant with real heart, one that will brighten your garden no end and encourage more wildlife to boot. While you’re here, why not check out our climbing guides, including climbers for pots, climbers for shade and fast-growing climbers.