Lonicera caprifolium var. Italica Harlequin 'Sherlite'

The Lonicera Harlequin is an original Italian Honeysuckle with irregularly variegated cream foliage, and sometimes pink. This vigorous liana also offers a highly fragrant flowering, early and prolonged, in white, cream and pink, from the end of spring. It can be trained to climb, freely grows into a large bush of colour and fragrance, or spreads as ground cover, bringing a delicate touch of colour to the slightly darker areas of the garden. This variety prefers partial shade and well-drained, moist, rich in compost or humus soils.

The Lonicera Harlequin® 'Sherlite' is a hybrid of horticultural origin. It is derived, among others, from the Lonicera (x) italica, itself obtained by cross-breeding the vigorous Lonicera caprifolium with the frugal Honeysuckle from Etruria, L. etrusca. This variety was originally introduced as a cultivar of L. periclymenum. All honeysuckles belong to the Caprifoliaceae family.

Harlequin is a deciduous variety in winter and has a climbing habit. The mature plant will reach an average height of 5m (16ft) with a spread of 2.50m (8ft). The foliage consists of rounded leaves, 5cm (2in) in length. The lamina, with a green-grey-blue colour, is more or less bordered by white-cream, with the border sometimes taking on some pink nuances. The deciduous foliage displays beautiful autumn colors before falling. The flowering renews itself in successive waves between May-June and September. It occurs at the tips of young shoots, throughout the growth period. The very delicate tubular flowers, 5cm (2in) long, pink in buds, open to reveal two lips of creamy yellow around a pleasantly scented white throat. They are clustered in bunches, in the axils of the leaves, producing non-edible red berries for humans but highly appreciated by birds. The young voluble shoots are light-colored, sometimes tinged with mauve. They spontaneously wrap around any support available to them.

The Lonicera Harlequin has its rightful place in the partially shaded areas of the garden, where it shines brightly. Train it to climb on a trellis, a fence, or an espalier, especially on a pergola located on a patio, a terrace, or not far from the house where its fragrant flowering will be highly appreciated. Alternatively, according to one's desires and tastes, it can be used as ground cover, or on a fence or at the top of a stone wall, gracefully cascading down. When grown as a dense bush, it will enhance a flower bed near the house or the foreground of a flowering hedge, the edge of a grove. It can be combined with montana clematis, winter jasmine or officinal jasmine, perennial peas (Lathyrus latifolius), or a climbing rose 'Seven Sisters' in shades of pink or Bantry Bay, with a opaline pink colour.