Lonicera henryi
Overview
Uses: Trellises, arbors, fences, garden walls, screens, groundcover.
Benefits: Unusual purple-chocolate flowers with yellow throats bloom abundantly through summer, offering a color palette unlike any other honeysuckle. Semi-evergreen to evergreen foliage with glossy, lance-shaped leaves provides year-round screening in milder climates. Non-invasive twining habit stays manageable on garden structures without the aggressive spreading of Japanese honeysuckle.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–9
Sun: Partial Shade to Full Sun
Life Cycle: Semi-Evergreen Vine
Growth Habit: Climbing — twining vine with cinnamon-colored stems.
Bloom Color: Purple to Yellow
Foliage Color: Green
Mature Height: 10–20 feet
Mature Width: 4–8 feet
Bloom Season: Early to midsummer
Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast
Summary
Chocolate Honeysuckle is one of the most distinctive and underused ornamental vines available. While most honeysuckles bloom in familiar shades of white, yellow, or red, Lonicera henryi produces clusters of small, richly colored flowers in shades of purple, chocolate, and maroon that age to warm yellowish tones. The effect is subtle and sophisticated, attracting hummingbirds and close inspection in equal measure.
The glossy, deep green, lance-shaped foliage is held on attractive cinnamon-colored stems and remains evergreen through most winters in zones 7 and warmer. In colder areas the leaves may curl and drop during the harshest months but recover quickly in spring. Small blue-black berries follow the flowers and provide food for songbirds in late summer and fall.
Native to China and introduced to Western gardens in 1908, Chocolate Honeysuckle is a well-behaved twining vine that lacks the aggressive spreading habit of Japanese honeysuckle. It is an excellent choice for trellises, arbors, fences, and garden walls where a moderately vigorous, non-invasive vine with year-round foliage interest is desired.
Care
Chocolate Honeysuckle Care
Plant in partial shade to full sun. Chocolate Honeysuckle performs best with some shade, particularly for the root zone, and will flower well in dappled light. Full sun is tolerated in cooler climates with adequate moisture. It prefers fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil and adapts to a range of types including clay and sandy soils.
Water regularly during the first growing season. Once established, Chocolate Honeysuckle handles moderate drought but performs best with consistent moisture. Fertilize in spring with a slow release fertilizer if desired. Provide a sturdy trellis, fence, or arbor for the twining stems. Prune after flowering to shape and thin as needed. The vine can be cut back hard in spring to rejuvenate if it becomes overgrown.
Size
What Size is the Chocolate Honeysuckle for Sale Online?
Our Chocolate Honeysuckle ships in a greenhouse-grade grow pot and is appropriately sized for its container at the time of shipment. If you have specific sizing or planting questions, please contact us.
How Large Does Chocolate Honeysuckle Grow?
Chocolate Honeysuckle reaches 10 to 20 feet depending on support and growing conditions. It is moderately vigorous and can be kept smaller with regular pruning.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
This plant is commonly known as Chocolate Honeysuckle, Henry’s Honeysuckle, and Evergreen Honeysuckle. It is named after Augustine Henry, the Irish botanist who collected extensively in China.
Is Chocolate Honeysuckle evergreen?
Chocolate Honeysuckle is semi-evergreen to fully evergreen depending on winter severity. In zones 7 and warmer, the glossy foliage typically persists year-round. In colder zones the leaves may curl and drop during harsh cold snaps but recover in spring. Browse our Flowering Vines & Climbing Plants collection for more year-round vine options.
Is Chocolate Honeysuckle invasive?
No. Unlike the problematic Japanese honeysuckle, Chocolate Honeysuckle is a well-behaved, non-invasive vine that stays manageable on garden structures with minimal pruning.
Is Chocolate Honeysuckle deer resistant?
Yes. Lonicera henryi is considered deer resistant and is also tolerant of rabbits. Explore our deer-resistant plants collection for more options.
