Dear Sibe,

Is it possible to plant honeysuckle in a pot? If so, could you please advise on the best variety for fragrance, when it should be planted and the type of soil I need.

Thanks,
Maureen

Our Gardening Expert replies:

Dear Maureen,

It is certainly possible to plant honeysuckles in pots. There are about 200 different species of Lonicera and lots of these are vigorous plants, so while they will grow successfully for a time in a pot, they will soon exhaust the compost and their growth will be restricted compared with similar types growing in the open ground. Don't let this put you off, however, you'll certainly get at least a few years' good performance provided the pot is large enough. As for the type of compost to use, this should ideally be John Innes No.3. A loam-based compost is essential to provide a long-lasting nutrient supply which is so quickly exhausted in loam-free composts. Regular watering will be needed, especially during warm weather, and after six months or so it would be a good idea to feed every week with a liquid fertilizer. Ideally you would use one high in nitrogen during spring to get growth going and then swap to one high in potash from early summer onwards, to encourage flowering.

It would be a good idea to keep the pot in a shady position, or at least shaded from the hottest sun, to keep the roots cool and reduce the need for even more watering. The top of the plant can either be in semi-shade or in full sun.

The best ones for fragrance are really a matter of your own opinion. Some people think that Lonicera japonica 'Halliana' has the sweetest scent, but noses detect scent in different ways and to me this one is too 'sharp'. My own favourite is the native Lonicera periclymenum. I say 'native', but this plant is also spread through Asia as well! Sometimes known as Woodbine in this country, this is a deciduous honeysuckle and will grow some 15' (38cm) in length from a planting in the open ground, but will be much smaller in a pot. The flowers are pale yellow, flushed with purple and red and are present from July to August - just when you need them, really. There are lots of selections or varieties of our native plant which have been chosen because of their earlier or later flowering. For example, Lonicera periclymenum 'Serotina' has a later flowering period up to October and Lonicera periclymenum 'Belgica' starts earlier - in May in some years.

Apart from Lonicera periclymenum another favourite is Lonicera standishii. This is a Chinese species and is somewhat shorter, reaching about 5' (13cm). It has a more compact and bushy growth habit and creamy-white flowers throughout the winter period, from November to March. In my own garden this is fully in flower at the moment, the flowers looking quite bright against a dark background. The scent is one of those that you can't detect close to the flower but notice when walking past on a still day - a delightful surprise.

Best wishes,
Sibe