Pink honeysuckle is a flower of blends. The tubular blooms often open rose or deep pink on the outside, cream or yellow within, and fade to gold as they age. Buds are the deepest part of the colour.
What is sold as pink
- Goldflame honeysuckle (Lonicera x heckrottii) has pink-red tubes with a yellow throat and a light fragrance.
- Some forms of woodbine (Lonicera periclymenum) show reddish-purple outsides and cream insides.
- Japanese honeysuckle can open with a pink flush, but in Australia it is the weedy one.
Weeds Australia describes the flowers of Japanese honeysuckle as white, often tinged pink or purple. If your pink flowering vine is spreading across the garden and into the bush, it is probably that species, so identify it before it seeds.
Choosing a pink climber
Garden centres in some states list Lonicera types that are not weeds. Ask staff for the botanical name, check your state's weed pages and avoid anything described as vigorous and self-seeding.
Sun, support and pruning
Goldflame and its relatives want a sunny position with cool roots and fertile, free-draining soil. Provide wires or a trellis. Prune after flowering to keep the vine tidy. They do best in temperate regions with cool nights and are less happy in the tropics.
Why the berries need care
Honeysuckle berries are not food. In case of eating by a child, call 13 11 26. If a dog or cat has eaten them, speak to a vet.
