Lonicera sempervirens 'Leo' coral honeysuckle, clusters of bright red yellow-throated tubular flowers
Lonicera sempervirens 'Leo' coral honeysuckle, red trumpet flowers on a twining vine with blue-green leaves
Lonicera sempervirens 'Leo' coral honeysuckle, clusters of bright red yellow-throated tubular flowers
Lonicera sempervirens 'Leo' coral honeysuckle, red trumpet flowers on a twining vine with blue-green leaves
Pollinator Drought Tolerant Best Seller Native

Coral Honeysuckle

Lonicera sempervirens 'Leo'

$21.00 Sold out
1 Gallon USDA Zones 3–9 Full Sun and Part Shade Matures 6–15 Feet

The free-flowering coral honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens 'Leo' pours red, hummingbird-loved trumpets over a long native season.

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The Full Story

Lonicera sempervirens 'Leo' is the coral honeysuckle at its free-flowering best, a selection of the native red honeysuckle that covers itself in bright red, yellow-throated trumpets over an unusually long season. The tubular flowers pour nectar for ruby-throated hummingbirds, which find the vine as irresistible as gardeners do, and the blue-green leaves, some fused right around the stem, make a cool foil for all that heat.

Honesty compels a small confession: the record does not show who first introduced and named 'Leo'. What is certain is the quality, a clone that flowers more heavily and more continuously than ordinary seedlings, which is reason enough to keep the selection in circulation. That free-blooming habit is why 'Leo' has become one of our best sellers.

Coral honeysuckle belongs to the family Caprifoliaceae, and the genus Lonicera honors the sixteenth-century German herbalist Adam Lonitzer. Native across the eastern and midwestern United States, this is the well-mannered honeysuckle, not the invasive Japanese kind that swallows fencerows, so 'Leo' can be planted with a clear conscience. Red berries follow the flowers and feed songbirds, carrying the vine's value past the growing season.

Coral honeysuckle is the classic vine for a mailbox post, but 'Leo' suits almost any sunny, well-drained spot with a fence, trellis, or arbor to twine upon. Full sun brings the heaviest bloom, and once established the vine shrugs off drought and asks little beyond a light trim to shape, since flowers come on new growth. Semi-evergreen in mild winters and hardy well to the north, this is a native vine that earns the best-seller badge honestly. Photo credit to cpf1.
Will this plant thrive in your zone?

Plant Profile
At a glance
Hardiness
USDA Zones 3–9
Sun
Full Sun, Part Shade
Soil
Well-drained
Mature size
Height 6–15 Feet · Spread 3–6 Feet
Growth rate
Fast
Seasonality
Semi-Evergreen
Design Notes

'Leo' is the classic mailbox-post vine, and takes just as well to a fence, trellis, or arbor in any sunny, well-drained spot. The vine twines rather than clings, so give it structure to climb. As the native coral honeysuckle, 'Leo' is a well-behaved, non-invasive alternative to Japanese honeysuckle, and the free-flowering habit makes the selection a standout for hummingbirds; red berries follow for songbirds. Full sun draws the heaviest bloom, and flowers come on new growth, so a light shaping trim is all the pruning needed.

Flower, Fruit & Foliage

Bright red, yellow-throated tubular flowers over a long season, late spring into fall; red berries follow

Flower Description:

Lonicera sempervirens 'Leo' produces striking, tubular flowers in vibrant orange-red hues, with a yellow interior that adds depth and contrast. The blooms appear in clusters at the ends of the stems, creating a visually dramatic display. Flowering begins in late spring and continues through summer, with sporadic blooms into fall in favorable conditions. The flowers are rich in nectar, making them a magnet for hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees.

Foliage Description:

The foliage of 'Leo' is semi-evergreen, depending on the climate. The leaves are smooth, oval to oblong in shape, and grow in opposite pairs along the vine's twining stems. They are a soft bluish-green color, providing a cool, elegant backdrop to the vivid flowers. The leaves are leathery in texture, offering durability and visual interest throughout the growing season, and in warmer regions, they may persist into winter.

Care

Read our full care guide

Light. Full sun to part shade; heaviest bloom in full sun.

Soil. Well-drained and adaptable, from sand to clay with good drainage.

Water. Regular to establish, then drought-tolerant; a soak in dry spells improves flowering.

Pruning. Flowers on new growth, so trim lightly to shape after the main flush.

Support. A twining vine; provide a post, fence, trellis, or arbor.

Hardiness. USDA zones 3 to 9.

Here’s a closer look at how we produce our plants

From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.

Woodlanders Growing Process

Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.

Sustainable Growing Practices

Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.

Supporting Local Biodiversity

Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.

At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.
Grown in Aiken, South Carolina
At Woodlanders, we are committed to quality.

All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.

Learn more about Woodlanders
Healthy plants, ready to thrive
Success, made simple
Healthy plants, ready to thrive

Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.

Read the care guide
Also found in
As written on The Node
Living Fences: A Living Legacy of Boundaries, Beauty, and Biodiversity
Frequently Asked Questions
What to expect upon delivery

All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.

Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
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Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
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Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?

At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.

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