Lonicera fragrantissima
Back to Previous Page
     
Tried and True Recommended by 3 Professionals
Common Name: fragrant honeysuckle
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Caprifoliaceae
Zone: 4 to 8
Native Range: China
Height: 6 to 10 feet
Spread: 6 to 10 feet
Bloom Time: March to April
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Description: Creamy white
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers, Fragrant Flowers
Fruit: Showy Fruit
Wildlife: Attracts Birds
Tolerates: Clay Soil, Dry Soil, Drought, Black Walnuts, Deer
Uses: Erosion Control, Hedge

Culture

Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Adapts to wide range of soils, including dry ones, but prefers moist, loamy soils. Prune to shape after flowering.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Winter honeysuckle is a somewhat stiff-branched, deciduous shrub with a bushy, spreading habit. Typically grows 6-10' tall and as wide. Extremely fragrant (lemony), short-tubed, creamy white flowers appear in early spring before the leaves emerge. Flowers are followed by small, somewhat inconspicuous, red berries which mature in late spring to early summer. Oval, dark green foliage sometimes has bluish tinge. Flowers are a harbinger of spring. Budded branches may be cut for an early, fragrant, indoor arrangement.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Some susceptibility to leaf spot, blight and powdery mildew. Potential insect pests include aphids, scale, sawfly, whitefly, loopers, plant hoppers, flea beetles and webworm.

Garden Uses

Clipped or informal hedge, screen or background plant in a shrub border.

Back to Previous Page