Lonicera fragrantissima
Winter Honeysuckle
Mature Size, Growth, Longevity
Normally gets 6-10' tall and wide, rarely to 15'. Wide-spreading to irregularly rounded in shape. A fast grower.
Native Range
Native to eastern China. Introduced into cultivation in 1845.
Flower and Fruit Details
Flowers are very fragrant, sweet-smelling, lemon-scented, in peduncled pairs. Numerous, 1/2" flowers are creamy-white to yellowish-white, often tinged pink or red, 2-lipped. Flowers start blooming in March/April and stay in bloom for 3-4 weeks. Fruit is a berry, formed when 2 ovaries fuse, dark red in color, 1/4-1/3", in late May to early June, but seldom seen due its location under the foliage.
Leaf and Bark Features
Deciduous: Leaves simple, opposite, leaf margins entire, but w/ fine, bristly hairs around margin. Leaves 1-3" long and 2/3 to almost as wide, somewhat rounded/broad ovate/.elliptic, acute at tip, blue-green to dark green, w/ a 1/3" petiole. Midrib may be bristly. Holds foliage very late into the fall. Then leafs out early in the spring. Little to no fall color, green or brown. Young stems slender, glabrous, honey-brown in color, w/ solid white pith.
Culture and Care
Easy to transplant and grow. Adaptable to most soils and most pH levels, but avoid extremely wet, poorly-drained sites. Full sun to part shade. Prune soon after flowers drop. Rejuvenation pruning can be done if needed, since resprouting from the base occurs readily. Zone 4-8. A few problems with occasional leaf blight, leaf spot, powdery mildew, aphids, scales, fall webworms and plant hoppers.
Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts
This honeysuckle is not invasive or overly aggressive, so it does not take over like some other bush-type honeysuckles would do. 4-season interest: Spring, summer, fall, winter. The specific epithet, "fragrantissima", in the name refers to the very fragrant flowers.
Suggested Uses
Makes a good hedge, screen, mass planting, shrub border, background plant, fragrant garden plant, or winter garden plant. Winter branches may be brought inside to force into bloom for indoor fragrance & enjoyment.