Trumpet honeysuckle for birds in South Carolina
Native red tubular flowers timed to hummingbird arrival. Native to South Carolina, where it feeds or shelters 29 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Lonicera sempervirens
- Native status
- Native in South Carolina
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 7a–9a
- What birds get from it
- nectar, fruit and berries
- South Carolina birds supported
- 29
- Nesting birds among them
- 21
Growing conditions in South Carolina
Humid subtropical, from the Blue Ridge foothills to the Lowcountry marshes.
Hot, humid summers.
South Carolina birds that use Trumpet honeysuckle
Year-round residents (10)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Brown Thrasher, European Starling
Summer breeders (11)
Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Orchard Oriole, Gray Catbird, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (8)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Rufous Hummingbird, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Palm Warbler
Mild winters; Lowcountry backyards host Painted Buntings in summer and many sparrows in winter.
Nesting season it supports in South Carolina
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use Trumpet honeysuckle:
- Northern Cardinal — March–August
- Eastern Bluebird — March–August
- House Finch — March–August
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — April–August
- American Robin — March–July
- Northern Flicker — March–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — March–June
- Orchard Oriole — April–June
- Eastern Towhee — April–July
- Gray Catbird — April–July
Native plants to pair with Trumpet honeysuckle in South Carolina
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Dense evergreen roost cover and bluish 'berries' eaten through winter.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Frequently asked
Is Trumpet honeysuckle native to South Carolina?
Yes. Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is recorded as native in South Carolina. South Carolina spans USDA 7a–9a.
What birds does Trumpet honeysuckle attract in South Carolina?
In South Carolina, Trumpet honeysuckle supports 29 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, American Robin.
Does Trumpet honeysuckle help nesting birds in South Carolina?
21 of those birds nest in South Carolina: Northern Cardinal (March–August), Eastern Bluebird (March–August), House Finch (March–August), Ruby-throated Hummingbird (April–August).
Which winter birds use Trumpet honeysuckle in South Carolina?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Rufous Hummingbird, Fox Sparrow, Hermit Thrush, Palm Warbler use it in South Carolina during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — South Carolina
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.