10 Best Honeysuckles for Fragrance and Flowers Even in Winter
When it comes to adding both sweet fragrance and vibrant flowers to your garden during the colder months, honeysuckles are a fantastic choice. Many varieties of this hardy climber can provide visual interest even in winter. Here’s a list of the top 10 honeysuckles known for their enchanting aroma and blooms during the chilly season:
1. Lonicera fragrantissima – Often referred to as winter honeysuckle, this species boasts creamy white flowers that exude a lemony scent starting late winter and early spring.
2. Lonicera purpusii – Similar to Lonicera fragrantissima, this variety also offers white fragrant flowers in late winter which can last into spring, adding a touch of charm to the garden when little else is blooming.
3. Lonicera x standishii – A hybrid between Lonicera fragrantissima and Lonicera japonica, this shrub produces strongly scented flowers in late winter, sometimes as early as January.
4. Lonicera periclymenum ‘Serotina’ – This late Dutch honeysuckle has a long flowering period that often extends into winter, providing fragrance and color with its tubular crimson and yellow blossoms.
5. Lonicera japonica ‘Hall’s Prolific’ – An evergreen variety that is particularly vigorous, it can produce its sweet-smelling, white turning to yellow flowers well into the cooler months.
6. Lonicera sempervirens – The coral honeysuckle is a semi-evergreen vine which may have a few of its tubular red or orange blossoms persisting through mild winters, especially in more temperate regions.
7. Lonicera henryi – Henry’s honeysuckle is an evergreen variety with copper-colored flowers that can pop up sporadically through winter if the temperature isn’t too low.
8. Lonicera ‘Scentsation’ – This newer variety allows you to enjoy large yellow and white blooms from spring through late fall, with occasional flowering in mild winters as well.
9. Lonicera caerulea (Honeyberry) – Though primarily grown for its edible fruit, honeyberry bushes also produce delicate flowers and some varieties can bloom early in the year depending on the climate.
10. Lonicera acuminata var. longiflora – With proper protection from harsh conditions, this honeysuckle can offer its long-tubed orange-yellow flowers accompanied by heady fragrance in mild-winter climates.
When planting honeysuckles for fragrance and flowers in winter, it’s important to choose varieties that are suited to your climate region for the best performance during the cold months. Additionally, proper care throughout the year will help ensure your honeysuckles are healthy enough to bloom when you most desire that burst of color and scent.