John Clayton Honeysuckle Vine

Lonicera sempervirens f. sulphurea ‘John Clayton’

Plant Details

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 4a-9b Find Your Zone

Plant Type: Evergreen Flowering Vine

Height or Length at Maturity: Up to 12′

Width at Maturity: 3-5′
Spacing: 3-4′ apart to cover fences or other structures

Growth Habit / Form: Climbing, Spreading/Trailing, Twining, Upright

Growth Rate: Moderate to Fast

Flower Color: Yellow
Flower Type: Single, trumpet-shaped, in clusters

Flower Size: 2″ long
Flowering Period: Late Spring through Summer

Fragrant Flowers: No

Foliage Color: Blue-Green

Fragrant Foliage: No

Berries: Yes, Red

Sun Needs: Full to Mostly Sun or Part Shade

Water Needs: Average

Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sand, Silt

Soil Drainage: Moist but Well Drained

Soil pH: 5.5 – 8.0

Maintenance / Care: Low

Attracts: Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Visual Attention

Resistances: Deer – more info, Insect

Description

The best of the yellow flowering honeysuckle, ‘John Clayton’ is a North American native that was found in 1991 in woodlands on the grounds of a 17th century church in Gloucester, Virginia. Not only does it produce loads of fragrant bright, creamy yellow flowers in spring, this variety is also prized for its tendency to rebloom through summer. John Clayton also has a more compact growth habit (to only 12 feet height/length) and a profusion of bright red berries in fall. It is not invasive like Japanese honeysuckle. This vine does not cling to walls and other surfaces, however, it will grow up and on just about anything that provides its twining vines something to twine around.

Landscape & Garden Uses

John Clayton Honeysuckle is a must for hummingbird gardens! Growing up to 12 feet in length it is ideal for use to climb along the top of fences, on a trellis, on a mailbox or pole, over an arch, arbor or pergola, or any other structure that will provide something for the vines to twine around. A fine addition to yellow theme gardens, native plant gardens, cottage gardens and fragrance gardens.

Suggested Spacing: 3 to 4 feet apart to cover fences

Growing Preferences

John Clayton Honeysuckle is easily grown in a moist but well-drained soil of average fertility and full sun to light shade. The vine produces more flowers and is more vigorous in full sun, where it covered a 10 foot wide section of 4 feet high chain link fence in our gardens in just a few years. We recommend at least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day.

Helpful Articles

Click on a link below to find helpful advice from our experts for how to plant and care for Honeysuckle vines.

How To Plant And Care For A Honeysuckle Vine

How To Train Vines To Grow On A Fence, Trellis, Pergola, Post, Wall Or Other Structure

Hummingbird Garden Design Tips

Plant Long & Prosper!

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This plant arrived in beautiful shape! It took me a few days to get it in the ground, but it remained beautiful and healthy. A month later, it looks perfect! Strong, blooming, and healthy!

Very tall plant to ship mail-order. Arrived in great shape. Using the cardboard ring attached to box great way to go. That and the moistened paper and shipping tape around top of pot prevents movement of pot and keeps soil inside pot, not all spilling into box. Plant growing nicely. Thank you———————————Hi Kurt, Thanks so much for taking the time to provide your review of the John Clayton Yellow Honeysuckle Vine. We are so glad you are pleased and we hope you enjoy it for years to come! Thanks for the great review!! 🙂
Beth Steele | Wilson Bros Gardens