Goldflame Honeysuckle
Goldflame Honeysuckle
Fragrant Carmine-and-Gold Flowers All Summer Long
Goldflame Honeysuckle (Lonicera × heckrottii 'Goldflame') is a beloved climbing honeysuckle that blooms from late spring into fall with sweetly fragrant, two-tone flowers — carmine-pink buds opening to reveal warm golden-yellow throats. Hummingbirds and butterflies adore it, and it's a tidy, non-invasive ornamental vine. Whether you're scenting a porch in Edina, dressing an arbor in Maple Grove, or feeding hummingbirds in Woodbury — Goldflame brings long-season fragrance and color to zone 4b–5a yards.
Goldflame Honeysuckle Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lonicera × heckrottii 'Goldflame' |
| Plant Type | Deciduous flowering climbing vine |
| Mature Length | 10–15 feet on a support |
| Sun | Full sun to part shade (6+ hours for the most flowers) |
| Water | Moderate — consistent moisture in well-draining soil |
| USDA Zones | 4–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) |
| Soil | Rich, well-draining; amend Minnesota clay-loam with compost |
| Bloom | Fragrant carmine-pink and gold flowers, late spring through fall |
| Wildlife | Hummingbird and butterfly favorite |
| Habit | Well-behaved and non-invasive, unlike bush honeysuckles |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to zone 4 |
Goldflame Honeysuckle Uses in Minnesota Landscapes
Fragrant arbors and entries
Its sweet scent shines near a doorway, arbor, or patio in a Plymouth garden where you'll enjoy the fragrance.
Trellises and fences
It twines up a lattice, obelisk, lamppost, or fence in Eden Prairie, adding vertical color where space is tight.
Hummingbird gardens
The long bloom season feeds hummingbirds and butterflies for months.
Best Time to Plant Goldflame Honeysuckle in Minnesota
Spring (late April–May) and early fall (late August–September) are both excellent. Avoid summer heat, and never plant after mid-October — frost-heaving kills new roots.
How to Plant Goldflame Honeysuckle
- Choose a sunny to part-shade spot with a trellis, obelisk, or fence for the vine to twine up.
- Dig wide, not deep; backfill with native soil mixed with 20–30% compost.
- Water in well and gently tie young stems to start them climbing.
- Mulch 2–3 inches to keep roots cool and moist, kept off the stem.
- Prune lightly after the first flush to shape and encourage rebloom.
Watering Goldflame Honeysuckle in Minnesota
First Year Watering Schedule
- Weeks 1–2: Every 2–3 days, deep and slow
- Month 1–2: Every 3–4 days
- Month 3–6: Weekly; keep evenly moist
- Stop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities).
After Year One
Water during dry spells, especially in summer heat. Steady moisture supports the long bloom season.
Is it fragrant?
Yes — Goldflame is one of the more fragrant climbing honeysuckles, sweetest in the evening. Site it where you'll catch the scent.
Is it invasive?
No — this is a well-behaved ornamental vine, not one of the invasive shrubby bush honeysuckles.
Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes — hardy to zone 4. Mulch the crown the first winter or two.
You May Also Like
- Peaches & Cream Honeysuckle — peach-and-cream fragrant climber
- Mandarin Honeysuckle — fiery orange hummingbird vine
- Balboa Sunset Trumpet Vine — a bold hummingbird vine