Trumpet honeysuckle for birds in Wisconsin
Native red tubular flowers timed to hummingbird arrival. Native to Wisconsin, where it feeds or shelters 30 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Lonicera sempervirens
- Native status
- Native in Wisconsin
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3b–6a
- What birds get from it
- nectar, fruit and berries
- Wisconsin birds supported
- 30
- Nesting birds among them
- 28
Growing conditions in Wisconsin
Humid continental, with two Great Lakes shorelines, northern forest and southern prairie-oak savanna.
Warm, humid summers.
Wisconsin birds that use Trumpet honeysuckle
Year-round residents (9)
Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Purple Finch, American Robin, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, European Starling, Canada Jay
Summer breeders (19)
Eastern Bluebird, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, White-throated Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Eastern Towhee, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Wood Thrush, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Hermit Thrush, Gray Catbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Palm Warbler, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (2)
Cold, snowy winters; boreal finches visit the north.
Nesting season it supports in Wisconsin
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 — May–August
- Eastern Bluebird — May–August
- House Finch — May–August
- Purple Finch — June–July
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird — June–August
- American Robin — May–July
- White-throated Sparrow — June–July
- Northern Flicker — May–June
- Pileated Woodpecker — May–June
- Baltimore Oriole — June–July
Native plants to pair with Trumpet honeysuckle in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
Yes. Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is recorded as native in Wisconsin. Wisconsin spans USDA 3b–6a.
What birds does Trumpet honeysuckle attract in Wisconsin?
In Wisconsin, Trumpet honeysuckle supports 30 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, House Finch, Purple Finch, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, American Robin.
Does Trumpet honeysuckle help nesting birds in Wisconsin?
28 of those birds nest in Wisconsin: Northern Cardinal (May–August), Eastern Bluebird (May–August), House Finch (May–August), Purple Finch (June–July).
Which winter birds use Trumpet honeysuckle in Wisconsin?
Winter visitors Pine Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwing use it in Wisconsin during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — Wisconsin
- 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.