Lonicera x heckrottii Gold Flame

Honeysuckle, Lonicera Gold Flame, Lonicera ‘American Beauty’

Lonicera Gold Flame stands out as one of the finest climbing honeysuckles for UK gardens, combining head-turning colour with rich fragrance and robust growth. This semi-evergreen climber is a firm favourite among gardeners for its vibrant, bi-coloured blooms and reliable performance across various garden settings. Whether you’re looking to cloak a pergola in summer flowers, create a fragrant screen, or support pollinators in a wildlife-friendly space, ‘Gold Flame’ is a superb choice that delivers impact with minimal fuss.

The hallmark of ‘Gold Flame’ honeysuckle is its stunning floral display. Each tubular flower is rose-pink on the outside, with a glowing orange-yellow centre, creating a fiery colour contrast that’s as captivating as it is cheerful. Flowering over a long period from late spring through summer, this climber ensures your garden remains vibrant well into the warmer months.

But it’s not just about looks. These blooms are also powerfully scented, releasing a sweet, intoxicating fragrance that intensifies on warm evenings, making them perfect for seating areas, patios, and pergolas. Their nectar-rich structure is irresistible to bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making ‘Gold Flame’ a valuable addition to wildlife-friendly gardens.

For best results, plant your honeysuckle in full sun or partial shade. A sunny, sheltered position will encourage more vigorous flowering and deeper colour, though it will tolerate various light conditions. It thrives in fertile, well-drained soil, and benefits from organic matter—such as compost or well-rotted manure—dug in before planting to enrich the ground and improve moisture retention.

Dig a hole twice the width of the rootball and deep enough to accommodate it comfortably. Position the plant so the top of the rootball sits level with the soil surface. Water well after planting and mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

As a naturally twining climber, ‘Gold Flame’ needs sturdy support from the outset. Fix trellises, wires, or obelisks in place at planting time. Guide young shoots gently with soft ties as they establish, encouraging even, balanced growth. Over time, this honeysuckle will climb and sprawl, forming a dense canopy of foliage and blooms.

Lonicera Gold Flame adapts to most soil types, providing adequate drainage. It performs exceptionally well in loamy or moderately heavy soils that retain moisture without becoming waterlogged. During dry spells—especially in the first couple of years—ensure the plant receives regular watering to help roots establish deeply.

In spring, a mulch of manure or compost will help lock in moisture and feed the plant as it grows. You can apply a balanced fertiliser at the start of the growing season for an extra boost.

Pruning is key to keeping your honeysuckle looking its best. After flowering has finished—usually in late summer—cut back about one-third of the older flowering shoots. This encourages fresh growth and a better flower display the following year. Thin out overcrowded or tangled stems to improve airflow and reduce the risk of mildew.

More drastic renovation pruning can be carried out in late winter or early spring for mature plants that have become woody or unruly. Always use clean, sharp tools, and follow up with a feed to support vigorous regrowth.

This honeysuckle pairs beautifully with other climbers, especially those with contrasting flower shapes or bloom times. Try combining it with Clematis montana, Clematis viticella, or a rambling rose for a long-lasting and layered display. Be sure to give each plant enough space—‘Gold Flame’ can reach 4 to 6 metres in height and around 1.5 metres in spread when fully mature.

While generally trouble-free, Lonicera × heckrottii can occasionally suffer from common garden pests and diseases. Aphids may cluster on new growth in spring—these can be managed with a strong blast of water or organic insecticidal soap. Powdery mildew may appear in hot, dry conditions or if airflow is poor. Avoid overhead watering, and ensure the plant isn’t too congested.

Maintaining healthy growing conditions and spacing is the best preventative against most issues.

Lonicera Gold Flame begins its show in late spring and flowers well into summer. The blooms often give way to small, red berries in hot summers, offering a late-season colour and a bird treat. As a semi-evergreen, it may retain some foliage in mild winters, especially in sheltered spots, adding greenery when little else is in leaf.

One of the joys of Lonicera × heckrottii ‘Gold Flame’ is its versatility. It fits seamlessly into both formal and informal garden designs. Cottage-style gardens bring nostalgic colour and scent. In modern plots, it provides vertical structure and softens architectural lines. Use it to dress a bare wall, enhance a pergola, screen a shed, or climb through a mature shrub for a natural, layered effect.

Because it takes up little ground space, this honeysuckle is ideal for smaller gardens or where horizontal space is limited.

The richly scented, nectar-filled flowers are a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hoverflies, making ‘Gold Flame’ a fantastic choice for pollinator-friendly planting schemes. The dense foliage also provides shelter for beneficial insects, while birds enjoy the occasional summer berries.

Incorporating this plant into your garden supports biodiversity and brings life and movement to your outdoor space.

One of the real pleasures in my garden is when Gold Flame honeysuckle starts to bloom. Its vivid pink-and-gold flowers are a magnet for bees by day, and on warm evenings, the scent hangs beautifully in the air. I’ve trained it up a wooden arch near the patio, where it softens the structure and adds months of colour and fragrance. It’s a brilliant plant if you want impact without much fuss. It copes well with our unpredictable UK weather; with thoughtful pruning, it just gets better each year. Whether you’ve got a small city space or a larger country garden, this honeysuckle earns its keep—and then some.

• Plant in well-drained soil
• Provide a strong support structure
• Regular pruning maintains shape
• Flowers pink outside, orange-yellow inside
• Semi-evergreen nature
• Works well with clematis
• Attracts beneficial wildlife
• Reaches 4-6 metres in height
• Tolerates sun or partial shade
• Highly scented flowers

Lonicera × heckrottii ‘Gold Flame’ is more than just a climber—it’s a multi-season performer that delivers beauty, scent, and ecological value in equal measure. Its striking two-tone flowers, long flowering period, and vigorous habit make it a standout addition to any garden. Whether you’re building a fragrant archway, creating a pollinator haven, or simply looking for reliable vertical interest, ‘Gold Flame’ honeysuckle is a tried-and-tested favourite that earns its place in the spotlight.

Check out the RHS article here.

Explore our full collection of planting guides for expert advice on climbers and wall shrubs.

Want to learn about other climbers? Read about Lonicera x tellmanniana here.

Q: What is Lonicera x heckrottii ‘Gold Flame’?

A: It’s a vibrant climbing plant known as the Gold Flame honeysuckle, known for its beautiful pink and orange-yellow flowers and sweet scent during the blooming season.

Q: How do I grow Lonicera x heckrottii?

A: Growing Lonicera heckrottii is straightforward! Just plant it in well-drained soil, ideally in a sunny spot. It loves to climb, so provide it with support like a trellis or pergola.

Q: Is Lonicera x heckrottii ‘Gold Flame’ deciduous?

A: This climber is considered semi-evergreen, which may retain some foliage in mild winters!

Q: When does Lonicera heckrottii bloom?

A: Lonicera x heckrottii typically blooms from late spring to early summer, showcasing those lovely orange-yellow flowers that may also have a pink-flushed hue!

Q: Can I buy Lonicera x heckrottii ‘Gold Flame’ at my local garden centre?

A: Absolutely! You can usually find this beauty at garden centres or online plant retailers.

Q: What kind of maintenance does Lonicera heckrottii require?

A: This plant is low-maintenance! Just ensure you water it regularly, especially during hot summers, and you might want to give it a light prune after flowering to encourage more growth.

Q: What are the benefits of having Lonicera x heckrottii in my garden?

A: This climber adds a pop of colour with its stunning flowers, attracts pollinators, and can provide a pleasant scent in your garden. Plus, it looks great on a pergola or as part of a cottage garden!

Q: Will Lonicera x heckrottii produce any berries?

A: Yes! After flowering, it can produce red berries in hot summers, which can be a delightful addition to your garden as they follow the blooming period.

Q: How do I care for my Lonicera x heckrottii during winter?

A: Since it’s a semi-evergreen climber, you don’t need to worry too much about winter care. Ensure it’s sheltered and mulch the base for extra protection against frost.