Lonicera x henryi Caprilia Ever - Henry's honeysuckle

The Lonicera x Caprilia Ever'Inov42 is a recent variety of honeysuckle bush that combines many qualities; its summer flowering in shades of pink-purple and yellow-orange is fragrant, its foliage mostly persists in winter, the plant is resistant to diseases, does not attract aphids, and can be grown as a large bush or a small climber depending on the gardener's preference. A very hardy and low-maintenance plant, decorative all year round, it will surely find its place in the garden, or even in a large pot on the balcony or terrace.

The Caprilia Ever'Inov42 honeysuckle is a horticultural creation obtained in France in 2008 by INRA/SAPHINOV and distributed by Minier nurseries. It is a hybrid between Henry's honeysuckle, Lonicera henryi in Latin, and its cousin, L. japonica 'Aureoreticulata'. All these plants belong to the caprifoliaceae family.

This 'Caprilia Ever'Inov42' variety produces voluble stems up to 4m (13ft) long if not pruned, and the plant occupies about 2m (7ft) of ground space. It can easily be pruned into a 1.50m (5ft) to 2m (7ft) bush in all directions. The stems lignify over time and bear long leaves measuring 3 to 5cm (1 to 2in) in length, opposite, ovate, lanceolate, and bluish-green in colour. Most of them persist on the plant during our average winters. This very healthy foliage is resistant to common diseases that affect honeysuckles. It blooms abundantly in June-July, and again in September, more discreetly. Numerous long buds in pink-purple open into tubular flowers measuring 3cm (1in) in length, tinted with yellow-orange, fading over time. They diffuse a pleasant characteristic fragrance, especially in the evening. It is not uncommon for them to be visited by night butterflies like Sphinx moths. They have two large coloured lips and exposed stamens. They are gathered in long-peduncled terminal heads. In autumn, they give way to ovoid black-blue berries that persist for a long time on the branches, if they manage to escape the appetite of birds.

With its height of 3 to 4m (10 to 13ft), the Lonicera Caprilia Ever'Inov42 is ideal as a wall cover, to dress a fence, a wire mesh, a trellis, a pergola, or even a large bush. Trimmed into a large bush, this variety is perhaps even more decorative when combined with other flowering or foliage shrubs. It will find its place in a country hedge, alongside false jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), common jasmine, buddleias, and mock oranges to stagger scents and flowerings. In a container on a terrace, you will enjoy its fragrance even more! Honeysuckles also provide shelter and food for many birds, small mammals, and insects (butterflies and caterpillars).