Lonicera x heckrotti 'Firecracker'

Common name(s): Golden Flame Honeysuckle, Firecracker Honeysuckle, Firecracker

Family: Caprifoliaceae

Expand all

Plant Properties

Origin(s)

United Kingdom

U.K.: Cultivar

Plant Type

Deciduous Semi - Climber

Evergreen Climber

Climate Range(s) - Habitat

Oceanic, Temperate Cool, Temperate Warm, Mediterranean

Oceanic,

Temperate Cool,

Temperate Warm,

Mediterranean

Aspect Range(s)

Sun - Full, Shade - Dappled, Shade - Light

Sun - Full,

Shade - Dappled,

Shade - Light

Habitat Range(s)

Garden, Landscape

Garden,

Landscape

Habitat Zone(s)

Garden, Landscape

Garden,

Landscape

Mature Height

1.5-2m, 2-2.5m

1.5-2m,

2-2.5m

Mature Width

2-2.5m, 2.5-3m, 3-4m

2-2.5m,

2.5-3m,

3-4m

Plant Shape

Bun - Broad

Growth Rate

Very Fast

Maturity

2-4 yrs

Life Span

30-50yrs

Leaf Properties

Colour (front)

Green

Colour (back)

Blue-green, Green-grey

Blue-green,

Green-grey

Colour(s) Autumn

Yellow

Shape(s)

Obovate

Oval

Obovate,

Oval

Aroma

None

Texture (front)

Glabrous

Texture (back)

Glaucous

Leaf Length(s)

30-40mm, 40-50mm, 50-60mm, 60-70mm, 70-80mm

30-40mm,

40-50mm,

50-60mm,

60-70mm,

70-80mm

Leaf Width(s)

20-25mm, 25-30mm

20-25mm,

25-30mm

Margin

Entire

Undulate

Entire,

Undulate

Cross Section(s)

Undulate

Venation(s)

Pinnate

Arrangement

Opposite

Apice(s)

Acuminate Broadly

Obtuse

Acuminate Broadly,

Obtuse

Base(s)

Obtuse

Attachment

Sessile

Bark / Stem / Culm Properties

Colour(s) Upper

Purple , Red , Red-brown

Purple,

Red,

Red-brown

Colour(s) Lower

Brown-grey, Brown

Brown-grey,

Brown

Texture(s) Upper

Hairs-Fine

Hairs-Short

Hairs-Fine,

Hairs-Short

Hairs-Soft

Textures(s) Lower

Glabrous

Rough / Scabrous

Glabrous,

Rough / Scabrous

Trunk / Stem Construction(s)

Wood Fibres / Hollow

Trunk / Stem / Culm Cross Section

Terete

Trunk / Stem Feature(s)

Stemmed-multi

Trunk / Stem / Culm Length

2-2.5m

Flower Properties

Gender: Bisexual

Time(s)

Spring Mid - Summer Mid

Flower Colour(s)

Yellow-golden

Flower Shape(s)

Bilabiate

Tubulate

Bilabiate,

Tubulate

Flower Size(s) Width

25-30mm, 30-40mm, 40-50mm

25-30mm,

30-40mm,

40-50mm

Aroma(s)

Perfumed-strong, Sweet-strong

Perfumed-strong,

Sweet-strong

Arrangement(s)

Cyme Monochasial / Simple

Axillary , Erect , Terminal

Axillary,

Erect,

Terminal

Arrangement Size(s)

80-90mm, 90-100mm

80-90mm,

90-100mm

Flowers per Arrangement

5-6, 6-7, 7-8, 8-9, 9-10

5-6,

6-7,

7-8,

8-9,

9-10

Pollinator(s)

Bees, Birds, Butterflies

Bees,

Birds,

Butterflies

Bud Colour

Pink-red

Fruit Properties

Type

Bacca

Shape(s)

Ovoid

Outer Colour(s)

Red

Outer Texture

Glabrous

Smooth

Glabrous,

Smooth

Aroma

None

Season of Fruiting

Autumn

Maturation for Fruiting

1 yr., 2 yrs.

1 yr.,

2 yrs.

Seed Properties

Type

Achene

Root Properties

Type

Plate

Invasiveness

Low

Soil Properties

Type(s)

Clay-loam, Loam, Sandy-loam, Hummus Rich, Organic Matter

Clay-loam,

Loam,

Sandy-loam,

Hummus Rich,

Organic Matter

pH Range(s)

Acid, Slightly Acid, Neutral, Slightly Alkaline

Acid,

Slightly Acid,

Neutral,

Slightly Alkaline

Condition(s)

Damp

Moist

Moist - Dry

Damp,

Moist,

Moist - Dry

Fertile , Deep , Well Drained

Fertile,

Deep,

Well Drained

Salinities

None

Waterlogging Class

W0 – Low tolerance

Watering Requirements

WR2 - keep soil moist but never soggy, WR3 - never let soil dry out, WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering, WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering

WR2 - keep soil moist but never soggy,

WR3 - never let soil dry out,

WR4 - allow soil to dry between watering,

WR5 - soil should remain dry 4 - 5 days between watering

Other Properties / Uses

Bee Attraction

Good

Bird Attraction

Nectar, Insect, Habitat

Nectar,

Insect,

Habitat

Butterfly Attraction

Moderate

Frog Habitat

None

Coastal

2nd Line

Edible(s)

None

Fire Retarding

Poor

Drought Tolerance

Moderate

Frost Tolerance

Moderate

Snow Tolerance

None

Minimum Temperature Tolerance

-2 - 0°C

Smog Tolerant

Moderate

Landscape Use

Good

Street Use

None

Commercial Use(s)

Horticulture - Amenity

Maintenance(s)

Pruning - Formative, Pruning - Periodical, Pruning - Shaping

Pruning - Formative,

Pruning - Periodical,

Pruning - Shaping

Special Purpose(s)

Erosion Control, Flowers-aromatic, Garden-Cottage, Garden-Courtyard, Garden-Espalier, Garden-Formal, Garden-Fragrant, Garden-Informal, Garden-Japanese, Garden-Rainforest, Hedge-informal, Irritating-Leaves, Screen, Shade Tolerant, Specimen, Suckering, Sunny Moist, Tolerant-Deer, Tolerant-Kangaroo's, Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares

Erosion Control,

Flowers-aromatic,

Garden-Cottage,

Garden-Courtyard,

Garden-Espalier,

Garden-Formal,

Garden-Fragrant,

Garden-Informal,

Garden-Japanese,

Garden-Rainforest,

Hedge-informal,

Irritating-Leaves,

Screen,

Shade Tolerant,

Specimen,

Suckering,

Sunny Moist,

Tolerant-Deer,

Tolerant-Kangaroo's,

Tolerant-Rabbits/Hares

Dormancy

Winter

Humidity Requirements

Medium, High

Medium,

High

Vulnerability

LC - Least Concern

Fertilising Requirements

FR5, FR6, FR11

FR5,

FR6,

FR11

Wind Tolerance

Moderate Winds

Poisonous To

Dogs, Humans

Dogs,

Humans

Poisonous Parts

Berries, Leaves

Berries,

Leaves

Propagation

Semi-hardwood Cuttings

General Notes

'Firecracker' was bred by Peter Moore in Hampshire, England. 'Firecracker' is a hardy, fast growing, non-invasive hybrid Honeysuckle, with spectacular fragrant flowers in a mix of pinks, reds and golden tones in Summer to Autumn. Great for a pergola or trellis, to cover a wall or as a specimen in the garden.

Propagation Notes

Semi-hardwood Cuttings

Material Preparation

Firm wood stem cuttings 75-100mm long, depending on the internode length, with 3-4 nodes. Mist frequently to keep hydrated or drop in a bowl of water.

Propagating Mix

1 part Cocopeat + 1 part Perlite

Treatment

Keep hydrated during prep.. Water tray of mix and thoroughly wet with Previcur fungicide. Dip bottom length of cutting in Easiroot. Using a dibber, press gently into tray of mix down to the 2nd node or at least deep enough for the cutting to stand by itself. Mist frequently while continuing cutting process. Place on 21° heated bed with misters. Maintain hothouse environment between 50-75% humidity and temperature between 20-30° C. Spray fortnightly with fungicide. Keep in bright but indirect light.

Strike Rate:- Field Stock %

Nursery Stock %

Rooting time:- Field Stock weeks

Nursery Stock weeks

Tube Mix:- Premium Seed Raising Mix

Notes

Care should be taken as PBR rights are probably on this plant and a license may be needed to propagate it.