This climber is semi-evergreen, so it can lose some of its leaves in winter. In colder regions or more exposed gardens, it may lose them all, but then fresh new foliage appears again in spring.

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: fast-growing
• Flowering period: June to September
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  Hailed as being more resistant to mildew than most of the other honeysuckles, this robust and easy to grow climber can also be grown as a lax-stemmed shrub that will form a spreading, arching mound. The cream-coloured flowers appear throughout summer, turning yellow as they age, and filling the surrounding air with their sweet perfume, which is often more pronounced in the evening and overnight.
  
  
• Garden care: In early spring young plants can be cut back by up to two thirds if you want to encourage strong new growth from the base. Also, once they have reached their desired height, or to prevent them from getting too congested, you can cut the stems back (again in early spring) to healthy buds. Well-established plants can be completely renovated by cutting back all the stems to around 60cm from the base in late winter or early spring. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted compost or manure around the base of the plant in early spring.