Lonicera fragrantissima
Winter Honeysuckle

Family:

Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family) 77

Genus:

Lonicera (Honeysuckle) 7

Plant Type:

Shrub 491

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 4 498

Deciduous / Evergreen:

Semi-evergreen 27

Flowers:

White (Extremely fragrant, sweet lemon-scented, 0.5" dia. creamy-white flowers in early April)

Foliage:

Green (Bluish-green, stiff, leathery semi-evergreen leaves)

Fruit:

Red (Berries in early June)

Ultimate Height:

6-10 feet

Ultimate Spread:

6-10 feet

Light Requirements:

Soil:

Widely adapted to soils, but avoid wet soils

Range:

Eastern China

Diagnostic Characteristics:

Leaves are opposite, simple, elliptic to broad-ovate, 1-3" long, dull blue-green to dark green, midrib covered with stiff bristles (setose). Spine often present on leaf tips.

Special Characteristics:

Flowering Characteristics 463

Fragrant Flowers 174

Additional Information

Widely adapted to different soils and exposures. More drought-tolerant, and also not a weed problem, like some other Lonicera. Branches can be forced indoors in winter to provide fragrance. Renewal pruning to a low framework every 5-8 years is helpful to maintain nice form and vigor.