Major Wheeler Trumpet Honeysuckle
Lonicera sempervirens 'Major Wheeler'
flowerMajor Wheeler is the best red trumpet honeysuckle, a well-behaved native vine that delivers the romance of honeysuckle without the thuggery of the invasive Japanese kind. It is a twining deciduous to semi-evergreen vine that climbs ten to twenty feet, and from late spring through summer it carries dense clusters of brilliant, coral-red, tubular flowers at the branch tips - a famous magnet for ruby-throated hummingbirds, which it is perfectly shaped to feed. Native to the eastern United States, it is non-aggressive, mildew-resistant, and easy, and small red berries follow the flowers for the birds. Grown on a trellis, arbor, fence, or mailbox post, it offers months of hummingbird-filled color with none of the invasive worries of its Asian cousin.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 7 days
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Bloom
~50 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
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Spacing
6-10 ft apart
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Planting Depth
Set the root ball level with the soil surface; provide a support to climb
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Medium-moisture, neutral to acidic, well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 4 – 9
When to Fertilize
Lightly in early spring; avoid heavy nitrogen that cuts bloom
Fertilizer
Balanced fertilizer or compost
🌱 Growing Guide
Grow trumpet honeysuckle in full sun for the heaviest, longest bloom (it grows in part shade but flowers less) in medium-moisture, neutral to acidic, well-drained soil, and give it a trellis, arbor, fence, or other support to twine up from the start. It is hardy in zones 4 to 9, drought tolerant once established, and far less rampant than Japanese honeysuckle, so it stays manageable. It flowers on both old and new wood over a long season, which makes pruning forgiving: tidy and shape it in late winter or early spring, and a light shearing after the first big flush encourages repeat bloom through summer. It needs little feeding; too much nitrogen pushes leaves over flowers.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care, and they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
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Projected first bloom
Jun 4
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Climbing Rose: Shares an arbor or trellis, the two weaving together for a long succession of bloom
- Clematis: A lighter vine that threads through the same support and flowers alongside it
- Bee Balm: A hummingbird favorite planted at the base, doubling the nectar draw in the same sunny spot
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
The main honeysuckle pest, clustering on tender new shoots and buds - rinse off with water and encourage ladybugs, which usually keep them in check
A white film in humid or shady spots - this native species resists it far better than Japanese honeysuckle; give full sun and airflow
Minor fungal spotting in wet weather - give airflow and clear fallen leaves
Stipple leaves in hot dry spells - rinse the foliage and keep the vine from drought stress
🌸 Blooms & cutting
Trumpet honeysuckle makes a charming cut flower - snip the red flower clusters in the cool morning as they open for an informal arrangement. The vine is low maintenance: shape it in late winter or early spring, and shear it lightly after the first big bloom to spur the repeat flowering that carries through summer. Leave some of the small red berries that follow the flowers for the birds. Site it where you can watch the hummingbirds, which work the tubular flowers all season.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
A native flowering vine of outstanding wildlife value - the long succession of red tubular flowers is a premier nectar source for ruby-throated hummingbirds and is also a larval host for several native moths and butterflies, while the berries feed songbirds. Grown for ornament and wildlife; the berries are mildly toxic to people if eaten.
⚠️ Toxicity & safety
The red berries of trumpet honeysuckle are considered mildly toxic if eaten in quantity by people and pets, possibly causing stomach upset. The flowers and foliage are not a concern, and unlike some honeysuckles it is grown without worry as an ornamental - just do not let children or pets eat the berries.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.