A Honeysuckle Which Berries?

[billdoor]

Hello to everyone, this is my first post.
I moved to a new house a wee while ago and have finally started tackling the garden.
I have been removing some of the hedge (it's all rhododendrons-which can be like a weed here in Scotland ) and replacing it with blackthorn, euonymous europeus, rosas, sambucus, cotoneaster, etc
Just popping in more variation for the wildlife, which finally leads to my question.
Does anyone know of a honeysuckle which has berries (for the birds), I have seen one in a wildlife garden, many years ago.
Unfortunately the owner didn't know what it was as it had self seeded and sadly, my cuttings died.
Any suggestions appreciated.

[Tursiops2]

Hi billdoor, welcome to the forum.
The native Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum, produces red berries and is a good wildlife plant.
T2

[Jez]

So too does Lonicera Fragrantissima. Grows to 3m it's a Shrub variety, not a climber! Flowers from late Jan to March depending on how mild the weather! Good Nectar plant for early bees and berries for birds late summer.

[Kayleigh]

Hi Bill and a warm welcome to the site..

I have semi evergreen variety's and they produce black berries the blackcaps like..Sorry haven't a clue what type they are..

[Cotham Marble]

Originally Posted by billdoor

Hello to everyone, this is my first post.
I moved to a new house a wee while ago and have finally started tackling the garden.
I have been removing some of the hedge (it's all rhododendrons-which can be like a weed here in Scotland ) and replacing it with blackthorn, euonymous europeus, rosas, sambucus, cotoneaster, etc
Just popping in more variation for the wildlife, which finally leads to my question.
Does anyone know of a honeysuckle which has berries (for the birds), I have seen one in a wildlife garden, many years ago.
Unfortunately the owner didn't know what it was as it had self seeded and sadly, my cuttings died.
Any suggestions appreciated.

Perhaps the underlying question is "why would a honeysuckle not carry fruit ?" The expectation would be that if the plant has flowers fruit should follow - there are some possibilites why a plant wouldn't have berries early flowers could be knocked off by frosts or gales, pest species may do extensive damage before the fruit can set, or inadequate water supply might cause bud drop.

I would say choose which ever species you prefer, (but are there some reputed sterile cultivars you need to check on before buying) make sure you plant it in compost rich soil, keep well watered in the first summer, and in the flowering season each year thereafter. And watch out for caterpillar damage. Honeysuckles are mostly (all?) self sterile so you may do well to have at least two plants in your own garden.

CM

[billdoor]

Thankyou for all your advice.

Growing up with a (now estranged; or I would be picking his brains) father who was a nurseryman, I have a little gardening knowledge- it's how I earned my pocket money
So in response to the last post, maybe my question should have been written a little better. Some honeysuckles seem to have larger and more bountiful berries than others- in the past mine have produced little tiny uninspired things.
I would like to find a Lonicera which fell into the first description.

I'll look up the Lonicera Fragrantissima, and try and find the the name of the evergreen suggested (if I can).
Thankyou for the advice about planting several, this may be the key to those fat juicy berries I'm after for the birds.

(We have a mistle thrush visit the garden, and I'd like to keep encouraging him)

[naturelover]

All hunnysuckle has berry dosnt it ?

[moleydee]

you could try leycesteria formosa which i believe is also called partridge berry?

[moleydee]

amendment pheasant berry not partridge berry thats a diff plant altogether opps!

[billdoor]

Thank you, I'll google it : ) There is always room for one more!

I have found since I posted this query that planting several actually helps.

I have also found they prefer to keep their roots cool, and I took this into account when planning where to put my extra plants.

My crop of berries has been much better this year. I think I was also impatient with some of my plants, forgetting that a healthy happy established plant will produce a better crop than one concentrating on growing and developing a good rootball.

Next season's job, to rid my poor camellias of botrytis!