Lonicera x tellmaniana - Tellmann's Honeysuckle

The Lonicera (x) tellmanniana is one of the largest climbing honeysuckles in its genus, known for its abundant and bright flowering, particularly in shady areas. This vigorous hybrid produces stems that can grow over 5 meters (16 feet) long, covered in deciduous purple foliage when they emerge. It is interesting for its ability to flower even in shade, during a long spring to summer period. At the end of the branches, clusters of large yellow-orange coppery flowers appear, which are not fragrant but still very bright even in the understory. This variety is perfectly adapted to cold and shaded areas of the garden. Make sure to allocate enough space for it!

Awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society in England, the Lonicera (x) tellmanniana is a horticultural hybrid resulting from the cross-breeding of Lonicera sempervirens 'Superba' and L. tragophylla, native to western China. All these plants belong to the caprifoliaceae family. The Tellmann honeysuckle is a deciduous variety with a climbing habit, vigorous and fast-growing. When mature, the plant can reach an average height or length of 4.50m (15ft), with a width of 3m (10ft). The flowering occurs at the tips of the young shoots, throughout the growing season from May-June to July. The tubular flowers, 6cm (2in) long, are of a vibrant yellow, with two lips of coppery yellow-orange, shining. They are arranged in whorls in the axils of the leaves, producing a few non-edible red berries if the summer is warm. The young voluble branches are reddish in color, as well as the juvenile foliage, adding an ornamental touch of color to this exuberant honeysuckle. The foliage consists of elongated and ovate green leaves.

The Lonicera (x) tellmanniana is fantastic for quickly hiding anything in the shade or semi-shade, from an unsightly wire fence to an unattractive building. As it has deciduous foliage, it can be used to cover a pergola or arbor near the house: it will let the light through in winter and provide shade on the terrace in summer. Left to grow freely, it will fill in a declining hedge or enhance the edge of a grove. In semi-shade, there are plenty of ideas for associations with clematis: for example, it can be combined with large clematis varieties like montana Tetrarose, rambling roses like Paul's Himalayan Musk, or even winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) or officinal jasmine.