Lonicera sempvirens 'Major Wheeler' (Major Wheeler Honeysuckle)


Michael's Opinion

An easy vine to cultivate and rather attractive when in bloom. Typical of Lonicera it is pest prone and they can be far and wide ranging. However when in bloom there is little that will surpass it for beauty and scent.

Botanical Information

FamilyCaprifoliaceae
GenusLonicera
Speciessempvirens
Cultivar'Major Wheeler'
CategoryWoody
TypeVine
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness ZoneZones 6-9
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneZones 4-8
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-36 - 35
Temperature (°F)-33 - 95
Height3- 6 m or more depending on structure that it is climbing on.
SpreadCan grow as wide as the structure it is growing on.
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodMay, June, July, August, September, October

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionIt is a twinning climber with green leaves and whorled flowers, which are salmon in colour.
ID CharacteristicThe flowers are two-lipped with five small spread lobes. The oval leaves have a bluish underside and green topside. The flowers are of a salmon/peach colour.
ShapeThis cultivar can spread as far as the structure it is climbing or attached to. It can also be trained as a groundcover. Shapes can vary depending on training method employed.
LandscapeThis vine is beautiful and has a wonderful flower to leaf combination. Can be trained fairly easily and is extremely colourful. This can also be trained as a groundcover but no matter how it is grown it will attract many birds including hummingbirds.
PropagationCuttings may be taken from ripe wood in autumn and rooted under mist in well drained media. The plant is considered “ripe” when the berries are completely formed.
CultivationRequires well-drained soil. When growing, it can be watered freely. It prefers filtered light.It should only be pruned immediately after flowering.
PestsThis plant has multiple pest and disease problems, however the most prominent are aphids, leaf roller and powdery mildew.
HabitatHorticultural origin.
Bark/Stem DescriptionIts bark is light grey with long, think paper-like plates.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionSmall hard, smooth bud with no hairs.
Leaf DescriptionThe leaves have bluish undersides, green topsides, and are saucer like in size and shape. They are opposite on the stem.
Flower DescriptionThe flowers are salmon to orange in colour and whorl at the shoot tips. The flowers have are yellow internally and they are lobed and two-lipped.
Fruit DescriptionThe fruit, when ripe, are small red berries, orbicular, and about 5 mm across.
Colour DescriptionLonicera Sempervirens 'Major Wheeler' has a leaf which is green on the topside and bluish on the underside. The flowers are salmon to orange in colour.

Photographs