Annie and Melissa twittered back and forth about this plant, mentioning Elizabeth Lawrence while they were at it. So I went to see what she is noted as saying about the Winter Honeysuckle.
”Nearly every garden in the South has a large ungainly Christmas honeysuckle, Lonicera fragrantissima, that is dull at its best, shabby at its worst and never the least bit beautiful even when in full bloom.” -Elizabeth Lawrence
Quoted from her book, which is on google.
This opinion is in the same category as those about lilacs. While true, it doesn’t convey the sentimental and perhaps irrational love for a plant with a certain fragrance at a certain season. The winter honeysuckle is a plant that grows big and has rather dull leaves and tiny flowers… that part is entirely true, but the sweet lemony fragrance that lightly, but flirtatiously, floats on the air in the late winter is a beautiful thing. One that I look forward to each year.
It was quite garden friendly when I grew it in the back of my city garden, by the alley fence. It was planted under the big old sweet cherry tree that was part of the garden when I moved there.
Now I have a large hedge of several plants that are at the back part of my drive. They suffered dieback one year and I cut them all down to the ground- they have now resumed their six foot stature. It is a personal choice, but I very much love them and think they ought to be part of a garden that holds fragrance as an important factor. But then, I grow lilacs, too.
Also mentioned here, and here; and in Spring Blooming Plants .
Growing Facts
- Not picky: full sun to partial shade
- In the garden: easy to grow, easily transplanted
- Average conditions: prefers loamy, well-drained, moist soil
- Maintenance care: prune in spring after flowering
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| Wikipedia photo by Konrad Lackerbeck |
Furthermore, it must be noted that I have had to cut it back to the ground several times as it has aged. There can be a problem with dieback, particularly due to extremely cold winters. Not normally a problem in Zone 5 (where I garden), but enough to be said.
Something official from Auburn U. (the photo above and more on this plant ID page). Fine Gardening gave it a mention in their good article on winter plants, all blooming early in spring in my Zone 5a climate.
Tags: Elizabeth Lawrence,fragrant shrubs
Now I want to smell it! I like the idea of a lemony fragrance. You are in zone 5a? Where are you located? I keep checking my zone and it varies from site to site from 5b to 6a. But my home in Detroit was 6a, and it’s always warmer here, so I can’t quite believe it would be 5b here in the southeast suburbs of Columbus.
Detroit is affected by the climate moderation of the Great Lakes, while Central Ohio can dip to very low temps on occasion.You can sometimes have a warmer mini-climate with the shelter of houses, etc.
I know this is an old post, but I just saw it and I have to say I disagree with Elizabeth Lawrence on this one! (I live just a few minutes from her garden in Charlotte, too!) I love winter honeysuckle. Not only is the scent wonderful, but I think the leaves and berries are lovely too. It is invasive in some areas, apparently, so it would be a good idea to check before you plant it. It IS a little messy with the way it grows, so an out of the way spot is better than up front and noticeable, but I can’t imagine doing without that wonderful scent when so much is still asleep in the garden.
I’m happy you are reading one of my old posts! Yes, there is something about this fragrance that more than makes up for any awkwardness or faults of the plant. Thanks for your input!