Coral Honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens, is a beautiful perennial vining plant that produces bright red tubular flowers that are loved by Ruby-throated hummingbirds. It loves slightly acidic, well drained soil and has been found to be drought tolerant once established. It loves the sun and will tolerate some shade. It blooms more enthusiastically in the sun. In mild winters, the leaves will stay evergreen and blooms from spring to fall. Watch this video on Coral Honeysuckle to get a close look at this plant.
Coral Honeysuckle is easy to grow and propagates from stem cuttings. After the spring blooms are mostly done, use sharp sheers to cut softwood growth into sections with 2 leaf nodes, the stem joint where the leaves are attached. Remove the bottom leaves so that the node is exposed. Roots will grow from the node. To increase your chances of success, dip in rooting hormone. Place the section in soil so the node makes good soil contact. To increase your chance of success, start many cuttings. Place your pot in an area with high humidity and low sun exposure. I like to put a clear plastic bag over the pot to create a little greenhouse. Watch this video of how to propagate Coral Honeysuckle.
The flowers feed many pollinators. It is the host plant for caterpillars of the Spring Azure butterfly, Celastrina ladon and for Snowberry Clearwing moths, Hemaris diffinis. It produces berries that birds love. Every habitat needs this plant to support the ruby-throated hummingbirds that visit us each spring and summer.
Watch a video of the Ruby Throated Hummingbird to get a close look! The Ruby Throated Hummingbird is an amazing organism that weights only around 3 ounces which is about the same as a US penny. This tiny bird migrates from Mexico to our beautiful state. It has an amazing tongue to drink nectar. Observe one feeding on native plants. Their nests are works of art. They are usually built 10 to 40 feet high of grasses held together with spider silk! The outside of the nest is covered with lichen and moss. Treat these beautiful birds to the nectar of Coral Honeysuckle by planting one in your yard. Propagate your plant so that it can feed hummers state wide! -Louise Prejean, ANPP Education and Outreach team. Photo credit Sally and Andy Wasowski
Commentaires