Lonicera sempervirens 'John Clayton'
Overview
Uses: Trellises, arbors, fences, mailbox posts, garden walls, pollinator gardens.
Benefits: Clear yellow tubular flowers bloom prolifically from late spring and repeat into fall, providing one of the longest bloom seasons of any native vine. Compact, well-behaved growth habit stays manageable on garden structures without the aggressive spreading of invasive honeysuckle species. Outstanding hummingbird and butterfly magnet with ornamental orange-red berries that attract songbirds in fall.
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–9
Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade
Life Cycle: Deciduous Vine
Growth Habit: Climbing — twining vine with a compact, restrained habit.
Bloom Color: Yellow
Foliage Color: Blue-Green
Mature Height: 10–15 feet
Mature Width: 3–6 feet
Bloom Season: Late spring through fall
Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast
Summary
John Clayton Honeysuckle is the yellow-flowered form of our native trumpet honeysuckle, discovered growing on the grounds of a seventeenth-century church in Gloucester, Virginia. Selected by the Virginia Native Plant Society for its exceptional repeat bloom, clean foliage, and compact form, it has become one of the most sought-after native vines for hummingbird and pollinator gardens.
Clusters of clear yellow, tubular flowers appear heavily in late spring and continue sporadically through summer and into fall, providing months of nectar for ruby-throated hummingbirds and butterflies. The blooms carry a subtle, sweet fragrance and are followed by ornamental orange-red berries in late summer that attract songbirds. The attractive blue-green foliage is semi-evergreen in mild climates, adding year-round interest in warmer zones.
Unlike the invasive Japanese honeysuckle that has given the entire genus a bad reputation, John Clayton is a well-behaved, non-invasive native vine that stays where you put it. Its compact growth habit makes it ideal for mailbox posts, small arbors, and garden trellises where a larger, more aggressive vine would quickly overwhelm the structure.
Care
John Clayton Honeysuckle Care
Plant in full sun for the most abundant flowering and repeat bloom. Partial shade is tolerated but will reduce flower production. John Clayton prefers moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil but adapts to a range of conditions. Provide a trellis, arbor, fence, or post for the twining stems to climb.
Water regularly during the first growing season. Once established, John Clayton Honeysuckle is surprisingly drought tolerant for a flowering vine. Avoid heavy nitrogen fertilization, which can promote foliage at the expense of flowers. A light spring application of slow release fertilizer is sufficient if growth seems slow.
John Clayton blooms on old wood, so prune immediately after the main flowering period in early summer if shaping is needed. Avoid heavy pruning, which can reduce the following year’s flower display. Remove dead or weak stems as needed.
Size
What Size is the John Clayton Honeysuckle for Sale Online?
Our John Clayton 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 John Clayton Honeysuckle Grow?
John Clayton typically reaches 10 to 15 feet, making it one of the more compact trumpet honeysuckle selections. It is well suited to small garden structures where larger vines would be out of scale.
Additional Information
What are some common names for this plant?
This plant is commonly known as John Clayton Honeysuckle, Yellow Trumpet Honeysuckle, and Golden Coral Honeysuckle. The species Lonicera sempervirens is broadly known as Trumpet Honeysuckle or Coral Honeysuckle.
Is John Clayton Honeysuckle a native plant?
John Clayton is a nativar — a cultivar selected from the native species Lonicera sempervirens, which is indigenous to the eastern United States. It was discovered in Gloucester, Virginia and selected by the Virginia Native Plant Society. It is a non-invasive native alternative to the problematic Japanese honeysuckle. Browse our Native Plants of North America collection for more native options.
Does John Clayton Honeysuckle attract hummingbirds?
Yes. Trumpet honeysuckle is one of the top native plants for attracting ruby-throated hummingbirds. The tubular flower shape is perfectly adapted for hummingbird feeding. John Clayton’s long bloom season from late spring through fall provides nectar over many months. It also attracts butterflies and is a larval host for the Spring Azure butterfly and Snowberry Clearwing moth.
Is John Clayton Honeysuckle invasive?
No. Unlike Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), which is a highly invasive species, our native trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is non-invasive and well-behaved. John Clayton stays where you plant it and does not spread aggressively. Explore our Flowering Vines & Climbing Plants collection for more options.
