Winter flowering honeysuckle
I love nature. Even on the darkest, dampest December day it can still produce something to make me smile, which is why winter flowering honeysuckle is my plant of the moment.
On the way to the shed today I noticed my winter flowering honeysuckle was indeed flowering. I got quite excited looking around the plant to see if there were any suitable branches to pick for the house.
I’ll admit as plants go it doesn’t have a lot going for it. Its leaves are a non-descript green and a plain oval shape. The plant itself grows into a fairly straggly shape and for most of the year it sits there contributing very little to the garden. But from December to March it produces flowers with the most amazing perfume. The flowers are small, like miniature honeysuckle blooms but they certainly pack a punch. The scent is heady like Philadelphus or citrus blossom and is very much welcome at this time of year.
My own plant was grown from a sucker that was taken from my local horticulture college. I was a student at the time, I don’t just randomly raid their grounds for plants I hasten to add. It has established well and this is the first year it has been big enough for me to pick branches from it.
There are 2 types of winter flowering honeysuckle – Lonicera fragrantissima and Lonicera x purpusii. Purpusii is a hybrid of fragrantissima. Both are deciduous or semi-evergreen depending on the weather and microclimate. Both grow to about 3 metres by 2 metres and both produce creamy white flowers with yellow anthers in winter and early spring. I’m not sure which one mine is but it doesn’t matter too much since they are so similar.
We visited Colesbourne Park in Gloucestershire in February to see its famous display of snowdrops, which were impressive but I was most taken by their collection of winter flowering honeysuckles that were dotted about the grounds. I haven’t seen so many in one place.
The gardens were packed with galanthophiles and gardeners desperate for their first signs of spring after such a long winter but I didn’t see anyone stop to smell the amazing winter honeysuckles. Their branches covered in tiny white flowers may not have looked as impressive as the snowdrops but they missed a real treat.
For nurseries stocking winter flowering honeysuckles take a look at the RHS plant finder.
wellywoman 
There is nothing quite like following your nose to find that elusive honeysuckle!
I bet your house smells wonderful.
Do you grow that outside? And just how hardy do you find it? I’d love to try it, but I think it might have to be an indoor plant with me….
Kininvie,
As far as I know they are both hardy. Mine has survived minus 15 degrees C over the last 2 winters so I think that classes as hardy. I’m not sure it would work as an indoor plant because it makes for quite a sprawling, straggling shrub. Hope that helps.
I love that sudden unexpected hint of perfume as you walk up the garden in winter. I am waiting for it here with Sarcococca which has tiny cream flowers tightly packed and about to open.
Hi,
I’d considered getting myself a winter Honeysuckle; that is until I saw it this past winter/spring and decided not to because as you mentioned, it doesn’t have much else going for it except its blooms… I may still give in to its perfume and pretty blooms though, especially if it’s blooming now and my Sweetbox and Skimmia are yet to join the party 🙂
Winter perfumes are so precious aren’t they. I’m having to wait for my Witch hazels, Daphnes and Sarcococcas, maybe I ought to add a honeysuckle to the list, I would just need to find a sheltered spot for it. To have enough Honeysuckle to bring into the house would be wonderful.
Winter flowering honeysuckle has been on my wish list for years and I am not sure why I have not succumbed. Probably because I have never actually seen one in flower for sale or in a friend’s garden. Must reconsider. Looking at your last post you still have quite a bit in flower 🙂 Envious of your trip to Colesbourne with all those snowdrops.
How very beautiful – just what you want at this time of year. I must add it to my ‘get some and just do it, right?’ list…
A new one on me…never heard of it!
Stunning to look at. Apart from hellebores there is nothing flowering in the moment. I think it might survive near the coast….just need to find a space!
How long does it take to flower?
I have one that I brought at a local nursery about 3 years ago and has done very well but has not produced any flowers.
Can you help?
Hi Ian, How big is the plant? Some shrubs do take a while to flower. Have you pruned it at all and if so when? I have a trachelospermum which hasn’t flowered in 5 years since I bought it.