Lonicera sempervirens 'Major Wheeler'

Product Info

Coral Honeysuckle 'Major Wheeler'  (Lonicera sempervirens 'Major Wheeler')
Honeysuckle Family

Coral Honeysuckle is a dense, long blooming, semi-evergreen vine that is a favorite of hummingbirds. Plants in NC often begin blooming in March and will continue well into fall and sometimes winter. In peak bloom, mature vines are covered in hundreds or coral pink, tubular blooms with bright yellow throats. Leaves are an attractive blue-green color, with new growth having strong purple hues.  It is a favorite host plant of the Snowberry Clearwing moth–caterpillars can often totally defoliate this plant in late summer at no harm to the vine. Bright red fruits replace the flowers, and are a favorite of birds. A coral honeysuckle of different genetics, like the straight species, is needed for significant fruit production.The cultivar ‘Major Wheeler’ differs from the straight species in its extra-long bloom time, denser floral display, and resistance to powdery mildew. It is a naturally occurring cultivar that was first found on the coast of North Carolina.

Blooms: Pink, yellow, 6-9 months, March-Oct.
Leaves: Blue-Green, semi-evergreen, new growth has strong purple tones
Height:10-20’ 
Space: 3-6’
Soil: Average-Moist
Exposure:  Full sun-Part sun-Part shade
Fauna: Hummingbirds, bees, moths, butterfly & moth host plant, berries for birds
Deer Resistance: Medium
Zone: 5-9
Seeds: Bright red berries produced in late summer/early fall

Native Status: (Parent species) common in the Piedmont & Sandhills, uncommon in the Mountains
Provenance: Unknown, asexually propagated