German honeysuckle -Lonicera periclymenum

"Serotina"

Height: 2–3 m tall, compact climber. Annual growth 1 m.

Growing conditions in Latvia’s climatic zones: western, central, eastern zone

Crown: a vigorous climber, the shoots twine around the support in a spiral. Shoots grey-brown in colour.

Flowers: Flowers dark purple on the outside, creamy inside. Blooms July–August, a late bloomer, with a strong pleasant fragrance.

Fruit: very decorative fruit, bright red berries that form after flowering. Inedible.

Foliage: Leaves small, purplish green.

Winter hardiness: In colder winters it may suffer frost damage, but regrows well.

Growing conditions: both a sunny and a partially shaded place are suitable. The place intended for climbing honeysuckle need not be very wide; it is enough to allow about a metre of free space. In terms of soil requirements, prepare humus-rich, loose, moderately moist soil; it is better to improve it with compost or well-rotted manure or its substitutes; it does not like clayey and heavy soils. When choosing plants, two-year-old and three-year-old own-root plants are recommended. Plant 0.5–1 cm deeper than it grew in the container.

These plants have dense foliage and are quite fast-growing; they need moisture to build up green mass. After planting, water thoroughly, then mulch to retain moisture. Annual growth up to one metre.

Diseases, pests: The biggest drawback is the development of powdery mildew in the second half of summer. For prevention, in autumn after leaf fall it may be sprayed with a 2% Bordeaux mixture. This can also be done in spring before leaf emergence. In summer, it may be dusted with sulphur if the air temperature is not lower than +20 degrees.

Climbing honeysuckles are also visited by aphids. They are controlled with insecticides when the first pests appear.

Care: Fertilising. For fertilising in spring, nitrogen or well-rotted manure may be used. After flowering, climbing honeysuckles can be treated with calcium-containing mineral fertilisers, which will strengthen the root system.

Pruning. It should be pruned once a year after flowering. This will affect the plant’s flowering; new shoots and new flower clusters will form. With regular pruning, plants will not develop a dry lower part.

Winter protection. For the first couple of years, the shoots can be bent down for winter. When frost sets in, heap dry peat or other dry material over the root area and cover the shoots with spruce branches or reed matting. Once the climbing honeysuckle is more mature, it may be left uncovered for winter.

Supports. Bthe support should be 3–5 cm in diameter and, by constructing it in different ways, different directions of growth for the climber can be achieved. It can be grown against building walls, fences, pergolas. Supports may be made of various materials, but less winter-hardy plants should preferably not be planted by metal.