The Only Plant I’m Adding to My Front Yard in April For an Instant (and Long-Term) Boost – it's Fragrant, Evergreen, and Attracts Hummingbirds

Sometimes we undervalue our front gardens, when in reality they're the first impression of passersby, they represent us on our street, and they greet out guests upon arrival. That's why I'm pouring more effort into creating an oasis in my front yard this spring, and there's just one special plant I'm adding to bring year-round greenery, deliciously fragrant flowers, and to attract wildlife: honeysuckle.

More specifically, the type of honeysuckle of I'm adding to my front yard this spring an evergreen honeysuckle vine. These climbing plants can make your front yard smell nice, offer vertical interest against a trellis, and they retain their leaves year-round so I can have confidence my front yard won't look bare in winter.

There are lots of choices of evergreen honeysuckles, but I particularly love ones with pink flowers like 'Coral Star' honeysuckle (available at Nature Hills). Here's why it's the only plant I'm adding to my front garden this month and why I think it's the most versatile and valuable choice.

Why Plant a Honeysuckle Vine in Your Front Yard

The reason I think the one plant you need to give your front yard a boost is an evergreen honeysuckle is because it can elevate the front of your home in so many ways.

Not only is it easy to grow honeysuckle (the majority of evergreen varieties can be grown in USDA zones 5-9), but vining varieties can dress up the front of your house.

You can use a trellis to create a vertical garden with your honeysuckle, whether you use a freestanding trellis (like this one with a planter box Amazon) or attach a trellis to the side of your house (like this white lattice trellis from Wayfair).

Either way, the evergreen nature of this vine will provide coverage year-round.

By the time late spring comes around, honeysuckle is putting out divinely-scented tubular flowers, usually in cream, pink, and red tones. 'Major Wheeler' honeysuckle (available on Amazon) is particularly vibrant.

What I love most is the fact these blooms last into summer, adorning the front yard for hosting season and giving guests a warm welcome, releasing its sweet, honey and vanilla-like fragrance as it gets brushed against.

April is a key planting time for honeysuckle, too, if you want to enjoy their blooms this spring. Just make sure to choose a mature shrub from the garden center, as honeysuckle typically only starts to flower from age 2-3 years old.

This pink-white 'Peaches & Cream' honeysuckle from Fast Growing Trees is a good semi-evergreen option.

Another bonus of having honeysuckle in the front yard is that it will attract pollinators, beneficial insects, and even hummingbirds who love its tubular nectar-rich flowers.

Pair it with a hummingbird feeder camera (like this one from Amazon) and you can watch them visit up close on your phone.

Our guide to the best native honeysuckles has more guidance on choosing a variety for wildlife.

Honeysuckle Care Tips

Another reason I'm choosing honeysuckle for my front yard is because of its growing needs.

My front yard is south-facing, soaking in sun for the majority of the day, which these vines love. Don't worry though, as they can also adapt well to partial shade but require 6-8 hours of sun to flower vigorously.

To keep your front garden looking its best, don't forget to prune honeysuckle after flowering in summer (if it's really tall, you might find these long-handled loppers from Amazon make this job easier).

This will neaten it up for fall and winter, allowing its glossy foliage to brighten up your outdoor space.

It's also key to fertilize honeysuckle in early spring to support blooming (you can actually purchase specific honeysuckle fertilizer on Amazon).

And if you're growing honeysuckle in pots, don't forget to choose a container with drainage holes. Sitting in excess water can cause root rot, as these plants prefer consistently moist but not soggy conditions.

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FAQs

Why isn't My Honeysuckle Blooming?

There are a number of reasons why your honeysuckle might not be blooming. It might be that it isn't receiving enough light, as these vines require 6-8 hours of sun daily, thriving best in direct sun. Another reason may be that the nutrients in its soil have depleted, so it may be worth refreshing its potting mix or topping up with fertilizer. You may have also pruned your honeysuckle at the wrong time (i.e. in spring for early-flowering varieties) accidentally removing its flower buds.

To elevate your front garden even further, consider also planting some of the best shrubs for the front of the house, like this Annabelle hydrangea from Fast Growing Trees.

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