Telmaņa vīteņsauserdis - Lonicera x tellmanniana

Height: a 5–6 m long climber, with annual growth of 1–2 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 olive-brown in colour.

Flowers: orange-yellow, unscented, 4–5 cm long, two-lipped, arranged at the ends of the shoots, blooms in June–July. A very floriferous variety. Blooms on the previous year's shoots.

Fruit: after flowering, fruit forms — spherical, orange berries, 0.5 cm in diameter, ripening in August, inedible.

Foliage: leaves dark green above, bluish green below, oval, 5–6 cm long.

Winter hardiness: in severe winters, young unripened shoots may suffer frost damage. A very winter-hardy, frost-resistant variety throughout Latvia.

Growing conditions: both a sunny and a partially shaded place are suitable. The place intended for climbing honeysuckles need not be very large; 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 best improved with compost or well-rotted manure, or their substitutes; they do not like clay 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 lush foliage and are fairly fast-growing; they need moisture to form green mass. After planting, water thoroughly, then mulch to retain moisture.

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 can be sprayed with 2% Bordeaux mixture. This can also be done in spring before leaf emergence. In summer, sulphur may be dusted on if the air temperature is not below +20 degrees.

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

Care: Fertilising. For fertilising in spring, nitrogen or well-rotted manure may be used. After flowering, climbing honeysuckles may 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 may be bent down for winter. When frost sets in, pile 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 older, it does not need to be covered for winter.

Supports. Supports should be 3–5 cm in diameter and, by arranging them 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 near metal.