Mandarin Honeysuckle
Mandarin Honeysuckle
Vivid Mandarin-Orange Flowers Hummingbirds Can't Resist
Mandarin Honeysuckle (Lonicera 'Mandarin') lights up a trellis with clusters of brilliant mandarin-orange tubular flowers, glowing against bronze-tinted new foliage from late spring into summer. Bred for hardiness and disease resistance, it's a vigorous but well-behaved climber and an absolute hummingbird magnet. Whether you're covering an arbor in Edina, dressing a fence in Maple Grove, or building a hummingbird corner in Woodbury — Mandarin brings hot color to zone 4b–5a yards.
Mandarin Honeysuckle Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Lonicera 'Mandarin' |
| Plant Type | Deciduous flowering climbing vine |
| Mature Length | 10–20 feet on a support; vigorous |
| 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 | Vivid mandarin-orange tubular flowers, late spring into summer, against bronze new foliage |
| Wildlife | Outstanding hummingbird draw; little to no fragrance |
| Habit | Vigorous but well-behaved and non-invasive |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to zone 4 |
Mandarin Honeysuckle Uses in Minnesota Landscapes
Hummingbird gardens
Its blazing orange tubes are among the best hummingbird flowers you can plant — site it where you can watch the visitors from a Plymouth porch.
Arbors and fences
Vigorous enough to cover an arbor, pergola, or fence in Eden Prairie. It twines up thin supports readily.
Bold focal color
The hot mandarin tone makes a vivid focal point against green or dark backdrops.
Best Time to Plant Mandarin 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 Mandarin Honeysuckle
- Choose a sunny to part-shade spot with a trellis, arbor, 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 flowering to shape; it tolerates a harder cut to control size.
Watering Mandarin 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. Good air circulation helps keep honeysuckle foliage clean.
Is it fragrant?
Mandarin is grown for color, not scent — it has little fragrance, but its vivid orange flowers and hummingbird appeal more than make up for it. For fragrance, pair it with Goldflame or Peaches & Cream.
Is it invasive?
No — it's a well-behaved ornamental climbing honeysuckle, not an invasive bush type.
Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes — hardy to zone 4 (bred in Canada for cold climates). Mulch the crown the first winter or two.
You May Also Like
- Goldflame Honeysuckle — fragrant pink-and-gold climber
- Peaches & Cream Honeysuckle — fragrant peach-and-cream climber
- Balboa Sunset Trumpet Vine — a bold hummingbird vine