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| Category: Vine |
| Family: Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckles) |
| Origin: China (Asia) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: Yellow |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Fall |
| Fragrant Flowers: Yes |
| Height: Climbing (Vine) |
| Width: Spreading |
| Exposure: Sun or Shade |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 20-25° F |
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Lonicera hildebrandiana (Giant Burmese Honeysuckle) - This is a quick growing, evergreen vine that clambers upwards for as high as there is support available but does not fasten itself to walls. It has the largest flowers and leaf size of any honeysuckle with bright green juvenile oval leaves maturing to 4-6 inch long glossy, deep green leaves. The flowers, first appearing in spring but often lasting to fall, are fragrant with 5 to 6 inch long slender curving tubes that expands near the tip with inch wide flaring lobes - flowers start white then turn yellow and finally dull orange and are sometimes followed by a dark green, and reportedly edible, berry (never tried it ourselves!). Plant in full sun to light shade along the coast and though somewhat drought tolerant once established, it grows faster and looks better with frequent watering. It is hardy to about 22 degrees F but happiest in near frost-free locations or where temperatures get only a few degrees below freezing for short durations. With age the stems develop a woody structure that is highly sculptural in form, especially if thinned out a bit. This plant emits a pleasant aroma and is attractive to bees butterflies and birds. The name for the genus honors Adam Lonicer, a 16th century German mathematician, physician and botanist. Sir Henry Collett and William Botting Hemsley first published this name in the Journal of the Linnean Society, Botany in 1890 from a collection Collett, a military man with an interest in botany, had made in the Southern Shan State in Burma (Myanmar) in Southeast Asia. The name honors a Arthur Hedding Hildebrand, a British administrator of this area who also shared an interest in plants. Hildebrand also successfully sent seed of this plant to Kew in 1893 and this plant first flowered in England at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin in 1898. It has also since been collected in China and Thailand.
This description is based on our research and observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We also try to incorporate comments received from others and appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Lonicera hildebrandiana.
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