Western Trumpet Honeysuckle

Lonicera ciliosa (Caprifoliaceae) is a deciduous twining vine native to western North America from British Columbia south through Oregon, Washington, and northern California, and east into Idaho and western Montana. It reaches about 20 feet, climbing by twining its hollow stems through supporting vegetation. Orange-yellow, narrow trumpet-shaped flowers (2 to 4 cm) appear in terminal clusters in spring to early summer, followed by translucent orange-red berries.

Western trumpet honeysuckle grows in full sun to shade on moist soil across a broad pH range (4.5 to 8.5) with moderate water needs. It blooms on old wood, so pruning should follow flowering. Documented problems include powdery mildew, root rot, yellow vein virus, and aphids. The bright flowers attract hummingbirds, and the berries feed songbirds. It is less aggressive than the invasive Asian honeysuckles and well suited for naturalistic plantings on fences, trellises, or allowed to scramble through large shrubs. Hardy in Zones 4a to 8b.