Description
Lonicera periclymenum 'Graham Thomas' Staked | Honeysuckle
Standard honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum 'Graham Thomas' is a trained form of Honeysuckle with a raised, more defined presence in the garden. Its flexible shoots continue to climb and twine, but the standard form gives this flowering climber a more structured and decorative appearance than a freely scrambling plant. The green foliage is deciduous, so the leaves fall in winter. From June onwards, the plant produces fragrant yellow and white flowers, followed by decorative red berries after flowering. When mature, it can reach approximately 6 metres in height. This vigorous growth makes it suitable for creating height and seasonal interest around a suitable support. The standard-trained form can also act as a clear focal point, bringing the flowers and foliage into view above lower planting. Honeysuckle is the familiar garden name, while Woodbine is another natural name for this plant. As part of the Lonicera genus, 'Graham Thomas' combines the charm of a fragrant climber with the raised presentation of a standard honeysuckle. It suits UK gardens where a sheltered position, well-drained soil and secure support can be provided.
Key features of Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum 'Graham Thomas')
- Flowers and season: This fragrant honeysuckle flowers abundantly from June to August. The yellow and white flowers bring clear seasonal colour and a strong scent to the garden. After flowering, decorative red berries add further interest.
- Foliage and growth: The foliage is green and deciduous, with the leaves falling in winter. Growth is vigorous, climbing and twining, and the plant can reach approximately 6 metres when mature. Its flexible shoots still need suitable support.
- Standard-trained form: As a standard honeysuckle, this plant has a raised and more structured presentation than an ordinary climbing specimen. It creates a defined garden accent, while the twining growth remains suited to a trellis, pergola or fence.
- Position and soil: Choose full sun or partial shade. A sheltered position is beneficial, especially in exposed sites where secure support is important. It suits all soil types when the soil is well drained, humus-rich and slightly moist, but avoid persistently waterlogged ground.
- Wildlife value: The abundant, fragrant flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. This makes the plant a useful choice for a flowering climbing plants collection, while also providing scent and colour for a UK garden.
- Hardiness: Honeysuckle is hardy to approximately -23.3 to -17.8°C in USDA zone 6. In the generally mild but wet UK climate, well-drained soil remains important for reliable garden performance.
Uses of standard honeysuckle in the garden
- Pergolas, trellis and fences: Use this standard honeysuckle near a pergola, trellis or fence where suitable support is available. Its shoots continue to twine, so the raised form does not remove the need for a stable climbing framework.
- Patios and containers: The structured form works well near a patio or in a container, provided the plant has suitable support for its climbing growth. This makes it possible to use a fragrant flowering climber as a raised feature in a smaller garden setting.
- Vertical structure: Compared with a freely scrambling honeysuckle, the standard form gives a clearer focal point and stronger vertical definition. It helps bring yellow and white flowers above lower planting without losing the seasonal character of a twining plant.
- Seasonal interest: Fragrant flowers from June to August provide the main display. Green foliage supports the plant during the growing season, while decorative red berries extend the ornamental value after flowering.
- Plant combinations: Combine it with complementary flowering climbers, shrubs or perennial planting where their light and soil requirements are compatible. It can also sit alongside border plants or container planting as part of a varied garden arrangement.
- Cold tolerance: The plant is hardy to approximately -23.3 to -17.8°C, USDA zone 6. A sheltered position and secure support are useful in exposed UK gardens, while well-drained, slightly moist soil suits the local mild, wet conditions.
Lonicera periclymenum 'Graham Thomas' is a fragrant standard honeysuckle that adds seasonal colour, scent and clear structure to a UK garden.
