Matthew Stevens: Honeysuckle combines fragrance and color in delightful way

Southern gardeners love plants with fragrance and color, a combination that few plants can match as well as honeysuckle.

Of course, there is not simply one honeysuckle, rather it is an entire genus of plants including a variety of different vines and shrubs. The numerous species and cultivars of honeysuckle offer tremendous diversity — some offer fantastic floral color, others that have fabulous scent and several that bring those characteristics together in a delightful way.

Like nearly any genus with such varied members, there are some that are well suited for garden use and others that should probably be avoided.

The first to make its impression each year is winter honeysuckle, Lonicera fragrantissima, a medium-sized shrub with white blooms in late winter. Though the flowers are not visually striking, the fragrance they emit is powerful, and considering not many plants bloom in February, it can be a great conversation starter when visitors notice the aroma. Winter honeysuckle typically grows to about 6 to 10 feet high and wide.

Coral honeysuckle, Lonicera sempervirens, is a native vine that blooms from mid-spring through fall. It will grow to 20 feet in height/length depending on the structure supporting it. Depending on the cultivar, flowers may be various shades and combinations of red, pink, orange, and yellow.

Coral honeysuckle has relatively little fragrance, however it is a major nectar producer and attracts butterflies, as well as bees and hummingbirds. Native American folklore suggests that the way the individual blossoms cling together in clusters serves as a representation of love and affection. ‘Major Wheeler’ a dark red bloomer, is one beloved variety, while ‘Magnifica’ is a variety with pale yellow blooms.

The Woodbine honeysuckle, Lonicera periclymenum, is similar to coral honeysuckle in its appearance and growth habit, but has a more powerful scent. The flower color is most typically a yellow and white combination, but some varieties are purple or red.

Popular varieties of the woodbine honeysuckle include Scentsation — a fragrant yellow bloomer, Serotina, which has crimson flowers with yellow throats and Belgica with its purplish-red flowers and bluish-green leaves.

Finally, Japanese honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica, is another vine which does offer substantial fragrance and a pretty bloom. Although undeniably attractive, the Japanese honeysuckle is an aggressive spreader and a prolific re-seeder, so it is typically considered invasive. Honeysuckle aficionados would be best served to plant either coral or winter honeysuckle.

In addition to it’s landscape use, honeysuckle can also be enjoyed when its flowers are harvested to make teas and other concoctions. Flowers from any type of honeysuckle can be mixed with herbs such as Echinacea to make flavorful medicinal teas. Honeysuckle tea is said to help with headaches, inflammation, fever, and digestion.