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Lonicera japonica 'Halliana' Honeysuckle - Have I made a mistake purchasing?

SN2008SN2008 Posts: 23
in Problem solving
Evening all. I am keen to add some fragrance to the garden so (naively) bought this Japanese Honeysuckle thinking it would be a good addition to grow up the garden wall. After doing a bit of research it seems it is a highly invasive variety. Should I cut my losses and get rid of it or should it be ok if I manage it correctly? I'm now worried it's going to cause me more problems than its worth. Many thanks.

Posts

  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Halliana is very popular because of it's wonderful fragrance and because it is evergreen.
    It is strong growing but it can also be pruned . It will take hard pruning but is best grown to look more on the wild side
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • SN2008SN2008 Posts: 23
    Thanks Suze
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'm wondering where you've read that it's highly invasive @scottnorman2008?
    It's a very popular variety - mainly because of it being evergreen, but I'm not aware of it being invasive at all. 
    Most of the honeysuckles [ the climbers] are vigorous, bar a few smaller varieties, but that's perfectly normal. It's why they're so useful for clothing small buildings, especially ugly ones, or for growing through hedging etc   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    There are US websites stating that it can be invasive if allowed to swamp shrubs and small trees. 

    By that standard many plants can be considered invasive … grass from my lawn will spread into my borders ‘if allowed’. 

    Controlling the more vigorous plants and nurturing the less so, is what’s called ‘gardening’. 
    I certainly wouldn’t worry about Lon. Halliana japonica. Enjoy 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • AthelasAthelas Posts: 946
    edited March 2022
    It is considered invasive in the US (e.g., https://www.entm.purdue.edu/iisc/pdf/plants/more/japanese_honeysuckle.pdf; https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/vine/lonjap/all.html) — particularly in the eastern and southern states — and the RHS website says it is listed as an invasive species in Northern Ireland

    However it should be fine if you’re elsewhere in the UK — it has a lovely scent

    https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/93277/lonicera-japonica-halliana-hall-s-japanese-honeysuckle-japanese-honeysuckle-halliana/details


    Cambridgeshire, UK
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,279
    We have it, if you leave it the growth will be a bit wild but it's far from unmanageable. It will root where it touches the ground but if you tie it into a framework and clip off any unwanted growth, it's no problem at all. 
  • SN2008SN2008 Posts: 23
    Thanks for all the comments folks. I'll keep it and try and stay on top of it.
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