Plant of the Week – Winter Flowering Honeysuckle
Plant of the Week
Winter Flowering Honeysuckle
Winter flowering honeysuckle or Lonicera fragrantissima is a bushy, fragrant shrub with cream lipped flowers of a silky texture through winter. It thrives in well drained soil and in a partially shaded border or container. It reliably flowers from mid-December to March and is better grown as a standalone plant. Although, it can be a beautiful feature within borders and can also grow up fences and walls.
It is important to prune your honeysuckle annually to encourage new shoots and ensure it flowers again each year. The best time to prune is the end of April - any later and there’s a risk of pruning next year’s flowers. If it has the right conditions and is pruned correctly it can be a vigorous grower.
These plants are great for wildlife, as the flowers provide a source of nectar through winter for pollinators. Then, in summer, red berries may be found on this beautiful plant. These berries are popular with any birds visiting your garden.