This is a very easy to grow and maintain shrub which sends up canes. In the winter and early spring orange flowers dominate the scape, as it tends to be one of the few plants that bloom at that time of year. Bees and hummingbirds are attracted to the large, drooping, trumpet-shaped flowers.
It needs no care once established, other than to yearly trim the canes that appear in unwanted areas. Orange honeysuckle thrives in full sun. It can be seen hanging on fences right next to busy roadways, and is an ideal plant for that situation. It normally will grow about 4 feet tall unless a fence or other structure is provided. It can grow a single can about 12-15 feet with support.
Because it grows so easily along a fence, it makes an ideal barrier for privacy. It is much much less invasive than bamboo, and has the orange flowers which attract wildlife. The leaves will remain thick and green all year, but the plant may die down during a year of several bad frosts. Doubtless it would grow even better in South Florida.
Flowers can also be yellow or pinkish-orange, depending on the variety.
Orange honeysuckle is known to be somewhat salt-tolerant.
There is very little information on whether orange honeysuckle can be used a forage source, but it is known that wild rabbits do not prefer the other members of the honeysuckle family.