Lonicera sempervirens, Coral Honeysuckle

Coral honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens, is a robust, twining woody vine that is mostly evergreen in Florida, but can be deciduous in colder climes. The plant occurs naturally in sandhills, scrubby flatwoods, hardwood hammocks, floodplain forests and open woodlands. It blooms throughout the year in Central Florida, with best blooming in winter. Farther north, it has a reduced bloom season. The flowers are attractive to many butterflies and moths, and hummingbirds find them irresistible. Birds such as cardinals enjoy the fruits. Coral honeysuckle’s showy tubular blooms are scarlet red to reddish-orange with yellowish-orange throats. They grow to 2 inches or more in length and are born in dangling clusters. Stamens extend beyond the flower tube. Anthers are bright yellow. Leaves are oval with entire margins, dark green upper surfaces and silvery-green undersides. They are oppositely arranged. Leaf attachment is sessile; however, those growing directly under or closest to the flower base