Lonicera Strawberries and Cream - Great for Pollinators

Honeysuckle

Bring timeless charm and heady fragrance to even the smallest spaces with Lonicera Strawberries and Cream, a beautifully compact honeysuckle that combines traditional climbing forms’ romantic appeal with a neat, shrubby habit. Ideal for patios, small borders, and container gardens, this deciduous variety produces abundant clusters of soft cream and strawberry-pink tubular flowers, releasing a deliciously sweet scent throughout the summer. Whether planted in the ground or a decorative pot, it’s a delightful way to enjoy classic honeysuckle beauty on a smaller scale.

This recently introduced cultivar stands out for its refined growth habit. It offers all the ornamental and sensory qualities of climbing honeysuckle without the vigorous spread. It’s a bushy deciduous shrub that remains compact and controlled, perfect for contemporary outdoor spaces where vertical climbers may feel overpowering or impractical.

The heavily perfumed blooms appear in generous flushes from early to mid-summer and are irresistible to pollinators and gardeners alike. Their signature bi-colour—creamy white flushed with pink-red—adds romantic charm and a visual lift to borders, containers, or patio displays.

While classic Lonicera periclymenum varieties are known for their long, twining stems and need for support structures, ‘Strawberries and Cream’ takes a different approach. This non-climbing, free-standing shrub forms a rounded, compact shape, rare among honeysuckles.

Despite its smaller stature, it doesn’t compromise on flower size, fragrance, or wildlife appeal. The familiar tubular blooms emerge in dense clusters, offering all the richness and nostalgia of its climbing cousins in a form that suits smaller garden footprints and tidy, low-maintenance designs.

Lonicera ‘Strawberries and Cream’ thrives in moist but well-drained soil, enriched with organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. While it prefers partial shade, it will tolerate full sun provided the soil retains adequate moisture, especially during hot spells.

Choose a sheltered spot with good airflow to prevent mildew, and if growing in the ground, consider a mulch layer in early spring to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Thanks to its restrained growth and bushy habit, ‘Strawberries and Cream’ is exceptionally well suited to container gardening. Use a sturdy pot at least 30cm (12 inches) wide with good drainage, and fill it with a quality soil-based compost for stability.

Position your container near a seating area, entranceway, or sunny wall, where the scent can be appreciated up close. Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging, and feed in spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser to support flowering.

Like all honeysuckles, this variety is a magnet for pollinators. Bees and butterflies are drawn to the richly scented flowers by day, while moths visit at dusk. As the blooms fade, they give way to small dark berries in late summer—an important food source for birds.

The dense growth also offers shelter and nesting potential for small garden birds, making it an excellent addition to a wildlife-friendly planting scheme.

While deciduous, ‘Strawberries and Cream’ offers interest across multiple seasons. Fresh green leaves unfurl to clothe the stems in spring, followed by a summer-long display of fragrant flowers. The textural winter silhouette of the woody stems adds subtle structure to garden beds and containers, even after the leaves fall.

This honeysuckle shrub is refreshingly low-maintenance. After the main flowering flush, lightly trim the spent flower stems by 5–8cm (2–3 inches) to maintain shape and promote bushiness.

If necessary, a light winter tidy-up can be carried out, though hard pruning is rarely needed. Regular watering during dry spells, particularly in its first year, helps establish strong, healthy roots.

Plant ‘Strawberries and Cream’ near paths, patios, or garden seating areas to maximise its fragrance and visual appeal. It also works beautifully in mixed borders as a feature plant or in containers flanking a doorway or bench.

It performs especially well in locations that receive morning sun and dappled afternoon shade, which helps prolong flowering and prevents excessive drying out in high summer.

What I appreciate about ‘Strawberries and Cream’ is how it delivers all the charm of traditional honeysuckle in a size that fits into today’s gardens. I’ve tucked a couple into large terracotta pots on my patio, and they’re a joy to walk past in the summer—the scent is something special. It’s also been a hit with the bees and butterflies, and I often spot birds flitting in and out of the foliage. For me, it’s the ideal mix of beauty, fragrance, and wildlife value—all without the faff of tying in climbers or constant pruning. This honeysuckle really earns its place if you’re after something compact yet full of character.

•  Compact growth habit is ideal for smaller gardens and containers
• Fragrant cream and strawberry-pink flowers
• Grows best in partial shade or full sun with consistent moisture
• Regular watering is needed during establishment
• Perfect for patio pots and mixed borders
• Attracts beneficial wildlife
• Low maintenance requirements
• Loses leaves in winter but provides multi-season interest
• Benefits from light pruning after flowering to encourage new bud growth.
• Ideal for smaller spaces where traditional climbers wouldn’t work

Whether working with a compact courtyard, a balcony garden, or a sunny border, Lonicera Strawberries and Cream offers an elegant and aromatic solution. Its richly scented blooms, pollinator appeal, and modest size make it a smart and stylish choice for today’s refined garden spaces.

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

Want to learn about other climbers? Read about Late Dutch Honeysuckle here.

Q: What is Lonicera periclymenum ‘Strawberries and Cream’ Honeysuckle?

A: This delightful honeysuckle variety features stunning flowers that blend cream and pink hues. Its compact growth habit adds a sweet touch to any garden.

Q: Can I Grow Lonicera Strawberries and Cream in the Shade?

A: Indeed! This honeysuckle thrives in partial shade, making it an excellent choice for shadier spots in your garden.

Q: How do I care for my Lonicera periclymenum?

A: Caring for your honeysuckle is straightforward. Ensure it has well-drained soil, regular watering, and occasional pruning to maintain its shape. It flourishes in sunny positions but tolerates some shade.

Q: When Does the Lonicera periclymenum ‘Strawberries and Cream’ Bloom?

A: Beautiful flowers appear in late spring to early summer. The blooms emerge in clusters and fill your garden with a lovely fragrance!

Q: Where can I buy Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum?

A: Visit your local garden centre or browse trusted online retailers. Always purchase from reputable sellers to ensure quality plants.

Q: How Big Does the Lonicera periclymenum ‘Strawberries and Cream’ Grow?

A: This compact deciduous shrub reaches about 3 to 4 metres when mature, making it ideal for trellises or walls in your garden.