Lonicera x brownii - Scarlet Trumpet Honeysuckle

The Lonicera x brownii, also known as Brown's honeysuckle, is much less well-known than the famous 'Dropmore Scarlet' variety, which bears a strong resemblance. A hybrid of Lonicera sempervirens and L. hirsuta, it is a vigorous and hardy plant with foliage that persists to some extent in winter. It is appreciated for its striking summer flowering in shades of crimson red, coral, and orange, vibrant colours that make up for its lack of fragrance. These are perfect colours to brighten up semi-shaded areas where this climbing plant thrives.

Brown's honeysuckle belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family. It is a woody climbing plant with voluble stems that twine around any available support. Its growth is relatively fast, reaching approximately 3.50 metres (11 feet) in length or height and 1.50 metres (5 feet) in width, or even more depending on the growing conditions. The foliage remains evergreen in mild winter climates but is deciduous in colder regions. The slightly leathery elliptical leaves measuring 4 to 5 cm (2in) in length are bluish-green and arranged opposite each other on the stems. Flowering occurs in June-July. It forms clusters of numerous long tubular flowers that open into five lobes, with long stamens and an elongated pistil. The colour ranges from scarlet red to coral red to fiery orange. Nocturnal butterflies primarily pollinate them. The flowers are followed by small green berries that turn red and blackish-blue when ripe. These berries are sought after by birds but are toxic to humans.

Brown's honeysuckle looks stunning when trained on a trellis or wooden fence, combined with a pergola and a climbing rose with white or light yellow flowers, or planted behind trimmed boxwood. It also fits perfectly in a slightly wild hedge, with easy-to-care-for shrubs such as shrubby honeysuckles, botanical roses (Rosa moyesii, R. complicata, R. hugonis), or viburnums (snowball bush, wayfaring tree...). It can also be trained as a large bush by regular pruning in late winter.