Lonicera periclymenum Chic et Choc - Common Honeysuckle

Lonicera periclymenum Chic et Choc is a variety of honeysuckle interesting for its small size, its very bushy habit and its long summer flowering, both colourful and fragrant. Throughout the summer, this small bush transforms into a ball of pinkish-white flowers that turn yellow-orange and carmine-pink, exuding a delicate fragrance. In short, this is a very different kind of honeysuckle: elegant and colourful, perfectly suited to small spaces and to growing in pots, even in areas with little sunlight.

Lonicera periclymenum Chic et Choc belongs to the Caprifoliaceae family. It is a creation of INRA dating back to 2012. Its wild ancestor, the common honeysuckle, is widespread in Europe, especially central Europe and as far north as Sweden. It is also found in North Africa. It also grows in hedges and woods, preferring siliceous soils rich in sand and humus. In nature, it develops strong twining stems of 3m (9 in 10 ft) or more that wrap around surrounding shrubs and trees. This honeysuckle has given rise to many cultivars, including 'Chic et Choc', selected for its very bushy habit and the abundance of its flowers.

This slow-growing Chic et Choc honeysuckle, with relatively slow growth, eventually forms a bush about 1m (3.3 ft) tall and with a spread of 70cm (27.6 in). Its non-climbing stems bear bluish-green, oval to lanceolate leaves, 4 to 6cm (1.6 - 2.4 in) long, on purple stems. The deciduous foliage appears in spring and falls in autumn. Abundant flowering usually starts in June and can continue until September if the plant has enough water. It takes the form of clusters of tubular, fragrant flowers, 3cm (1.2 in) long, first pinkish-white then yellow-orange and carmine-pink. They have two large, colourful lips, leaving the stamens visible. This variety rarely produces fruits which are small berries that turn red in autumn.

With its compact size and abundance of flowers, the Lonicera periclymenum Chic et Choc is ideal for container gardening, as well as in flower beds, borders or rock gardens alongside other shrubs (Japanese spireas, dwarf barberries, Deutzias, dwarf buddleias...). It also combines well with grasses (Pennisetum, Stipa), asters, gauras, or even with the stunning purple bush clematis recta Purpurea.