The long spell of drought did not suit the wild honeysuckle very well, the dry soil failing to supply its moisture needs, shortening the lifespan of the flowers. But honeysuckle often flowers on new shoots made this year and a nice show of late flowers is developing in some places where there been a good deal of rain.

A show of late flowers always seems the more precious as the year’s growth winds down. Sometimes the second lot can be even better, especially if the plant was cut back earlier as part of a hedge.

The flowers of honeysuckle are very familiar. They are carried in a cluster at the ends of side shoots that arise from the larger stems. The flowers are tubular and flare open at the mouth, the petals rolling back and the stamens pushing forward. The curling shape of the flower tubes and rolled-back petals gives the plant quite a lively appearance.

It is widely known as woodbine and it is easy to grow and very reliable because it has adapted to local weather and pest and disease conditions. Some good forms have been selected and these are the ones most likely to be found for sale.

Origins

The botanical name of honeysuckle is Lonicera periclymenum, and its form ‘Belgica’ is known as early Dutch honeysuckle. This kind flowers reliably early in summer and carries flowers that are deep pink-red in colour on the outside, white turning to cream-yellow on the insides of the trumpets.

The late Dutch honeysuckle is a variety called ‘Serotina’ and this one flowers reliably late, giving flowers in late summer and into autumn. It is deep purple-red on the outside and white turning yellow inside. The variety called ‘Graham Thomas’, found in an English wood, is most unusual in that it has no pink or purple colouring on the outside of the flower tubes, which are simply white turning yellow as they age. This variety is very prolific with flowers and carries flowers right through summer.

There are other forms of honeysuckle worth seeking out. For instance, Lonicera x americana is a hybrid kind derived from the Italian honey suckle. It got the name because it was mistakenly thought to be from America. It flowers in summer and into autumn and carries a heavy crop of yellow purple-marked flowers. Like many honeysuckles, this kind is very fragrant. The Italian honeysuckle, Lonicera caprifolium, is a vigorous, fragrant climber with white-yellow flowers backed pink with stems coming through rounded, joined leaves.

From a separate species, ‘Dropmore Scarlet’ is known as the scarlet trumpet honeysuckle and it has bright scarlet tubes with an orange-yellow mouth, not as openly flared as the common honeysuckle. Some honeysuckles are evergreen, which is often considered interesting, though none is much good. The most planted kind is the Japanese honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica ‘Halliana’, which is semi-evergreen in winter in a cold area and very vigorous. It might be useful for hiding something but it is not particularly decorative, as it is a bit shapeless and the flowers are small, but they have fragrance.

Being a plant of natural appearance, not much changed from the wild sorts, honeysuckle is best used in a natural setting. In the garden, it should be planted where the roots will not get too dry, such as at the base of a wall, or it will not flower so well. It is also notorious for getting attacked by greenflies when grown on a wall. It does much better on a fence, arch or pergola.

Hydrangeas struggled with the drought this year.

Hard time for hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are such an important part of the colour display in most gardens that it is desirable that they perform to their best. This has not been the case this year as they have struggled with a severe drought. This was the case with many plants but hydrangeas suffer more than most because they like a good deal of moisture and, to prove the point, they never look so well as in the damp southwest.

Though looking hard-shipped and tired now, the plants will recover as soil moisture levels return to normal. A few stems may die back but this happens in any case as the bush ages. If you have garden compost, leafmould or even grass mowings can be used as a mulch to retain moisture and to feed the plants and help their full recovery.

This week

Flowers

Warm sunny weather greatly improves the continued growth of flowers in pots because they mostly like warm temperatures, but they must have enough water and feed. This can be given in every third or fourth watering or weekly to maintain vigorous growth.

Lawns

Lawn recovery from browning in the drought has continued very well in general, except where tree roots are sucking up the limited supply. Grass growth has eased back a bit and an autumn lawn feed or a low nitrogen fertiliser can be applied to boost growth.

Trees, shrubs and roses

Check to make sure that young trees are not too dry, and water them heavily if necessary. It is time to clip hedges of all kinds before the wood gets tough. Any heavy cutting back should be left until the start of the growing season next year. Prune climbing roses.

Greenhouse and house plants

Cuttings of various kinds can be taken over the coming few weeks from many kinds of shrubs and tender plants. Continue watering and feeding greenhouse plants. Be careful to water tomato plants in pots or grow-bags regularly as they can easily dry out.

Fruit, vegetables and herbs

Remove vegetables that have gone over. There has been good growth recently of sweet corn. Make some late sowings of lettuce and radishes. If the soil is dry, peas and cabbages should be watered to keep the plants growing. Make sure that all plants recieve an adaquate watering.