Coral Honeysuckle

Coral Honeysuckle is a twining vine native to the eastern United States, Florida included, that carries clustered trumpet flowers, scarlet to coral outside and yellow within, from spring into summer. Lonicera sempervirens climbs a trellis, fence, or arbor and is grown above all for hummingbirds, which pollinate it, and for the red berries that feed birds in late summer. Plant it in full sun for the heaviest bloom, or in partial shade, in medium-moisture, well-drained soil, and it takes short dry spells once established. It reaches 10 to 20 feet, hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9 and zone 10 in Florida, evergreen in central and south Florida and deciduous where winters are colder. Prune after the main flush of bloom to keep it inside its support. Unlike invasive Japanese honeysuckle, it stays in bounds, and it hosts spring azure and snowberry clearwing caterpillars. The berries are not for people.