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We all know the voluptuous summer fragrance of the twining honeysuckle. It’s such a familiar feature of our hedgerows and yards. If you already know how to grow honeysuckle, youll be rewarded with indispensable color, sumptuous scent, and undemanding growth.
Climbing honeysuckle bring us billowing color, intoxicating evening fragrance and valuable nesting sites for birds. But there are three other, very different kinds of honeysuckles, shrubs rather than climbers, that really don’t look much like honeysuckles at all.
These honeysuckles are all shrubs rather than climbers, and they fall into three groups. There are the deciduous, winter flowering honeysuckles, with their creamy flowers opening on the bare branches. There are the very different evergreen shrubby honeysuckles, often used for hedging or ground cover. And there are also honeysuckles grown for their edible berries, known as honeyberries (Lonicera caerulea). In recent years there have been developments in this group and improved varieties are becoming available.
All honeysuckles are easy to grow, and most will grow in a number of different situations. Shrubby evergreen types are good in shade, and make fine low hedges or small scale features and topiaries. While deciduous, winter flowering varieties bring us color and fragrance when we, and early flying bees, need it most.
Honeysuckle is a quintessential vine that evokes fond memories of childhood for many gardeners. Its sweet, intoxicating fragrance drifting on the summer breeze takes you back to carefree days spent outdoors. With over 180 species, there are many honeysuckle varieties to choose from. But what is the most fragrant type you can grow?
When selecting the most aromatic honeysuckle, the species Lonicera periclymenum tops the list Also called woodbine or common honeysuckle, this vine is renowned for its intense fragrance. ‘Belgica’, ‘Graham Thomas’, and ‘Serotina’ are exceptionally fragrant L. periclymenum cultivars.
Another highly scented species is Lonicera x brownii, a hybrid between Japanese and coral honeysuckle. It flowers prolifically from spring through fall with an unmistakable lemony perfume. ‘Dropmore Scarlet’ is an excellent selection.
For tropical punch, Lonicera x heckrottii (goldflame honeysuckle) is a knockout. Its large pink and yellow blooms fade to creamy yellow and emit a divine fragrance. Though susceptible to mildew, its exotic flowers make up for the extra care required in warm climates.
Yes, Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is notoriously invasive in many regions. But we’d be remiss not to mention its super sweet perfume. Just be sure to grow non-vining varieties like ‘Purpurea’ or ‘Aureoreticulata’ safely in containers.
Native coral honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is a non-invasive alternative with lightly fragrant red and orange blooms loved by hummingbirds. ‘Major Wheeler’ and ‘John Clayton’ have excellent scent.
Other coveted fragrant varieties include Lonicera x americana ‘Superba’ with its lemony aroma, early blooming Lonicera tellmanniana, and the rare yellow-flowered Lonicera hildebrandiana.
How to Select the Most Fragrant Honeysuckle
When deciding which aromatic honeysuckle to grow, consider the following factors:
- Growth habit – Vining, shrubby, or dwarf/compact types available
- Bloom time – Spring, summer, or repeat flowering cultivars
- Flower color – Most are fragrant, choose your favorite hue!
- Scent intensity – Subtly to strongly scented, smell firsthand before buying
- Invasiveness – Ensure it’s non-invasive for your region
- Hardiness – Select types suited to your USDA zone
- Sun exposure – Part sun to full sun for most, dappled light for dwarfs
Prioritize growing conditions and bloom season first then sniff out the most exquisitely perfumed varieties for your perfect fragrant match.
Caring for Fragrant Honeysuckle Vines
Once you’ve selected that dreamy honeysuckle, be sure to give it proper care:
- Plant in well-draining soil enriched with compost
- Add trellises, arbors, or fences for vining types to climb
- Water deeply first year, then weekly in droughts once established
- Apply mulch to conserve moisture and prevent weeds
- Prune lightly after blooming to promote air circulation
- Monitor for pests like spider mites, aphids, beetles
- Use fungicides to prevent powdery mildew if problematic
With ideal growing conditions, your aromatic honeysuckle will perfume your garden with its sweet scent for years to come.
Answers to Common Fragrant Honeysuckle Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the most fragrant honeysuckle varieties:
What is the sweetest smelling honeysuckle?
Lonicera periclymenum and Lonicera x brownii are often cited as the sweetest. Try L. periclymenum ‘Belgica’ and ‘Sweet Sue’ or L. x brownii ‘Dropmore Scarlet’.
What honeysuckle has the strongest scent?
Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is very intensely fragrant. For non-invasive types, coral honeysuckle (L. sempervirens) has good scent.
Which smells best at night?
Lonicera periclymenum and Lonicera x brownii smell divine in the evenings when scent is strongest. Place near paths or windows to enjoy.
Do all honeysuckle smell good?
Some are bred more for ornamental appeal than fragrance. Smell varieties firsthand to ensure a sweet aroma.
How long do blooms last?
Most flower from spring through fall, with peak in summer. Individual blooms last about 1 week.
Are berries edible?
Berry-producing species like Lonicera caerulea have edible berries. But many common types have toxic berries that cause stomach upset. Enjoy flowers over berries.
When selecting a fragrant honeysuckle, consider your climate, space and preferences. Then choose the most sublimely scented variety to perfume your garden with nostalgic summertime charm.
Lonicera similis var. delavayi (Image credit: Alamy/Brian Hoffman)
This late flowering, disease-resistant, evergreen honeysuckle is unusual in having white undersides to its leaves. The white flowers, with the heavy evening perfume, mature to yellow over many weeks.
Good for Walls, fences, pergolas
Hardiness zone 4-9
Height 3-4m (10-14ft)
Also The long-stalked flowers are especially well displayed.
Lonicera ligustrina var. pileata (Image credit: Alamy/Anna Nelidova)
Known as box-leaved honeysuckle, this neat evergreen has distinctive, horizontal branches packed with short, dark leaves and occasionally also offers unusual, translucent blue berries.
Good for Ground cover, an alternative to box
Hardiness zone 4-8
Height 60cm-1.2m (2ft-4ft)
Also try ‘Elegant’, with arching branches
Super Fragrant Winter Honeysuckle Details
FAQ
Which is the strongest smelling honeysuckle?
For fragrance, hardiness and growth, look no further than Lonicera periclymenum ‘Graham Thomas’. The L. periclymenum species are some of the most aromatic honeysuckles one can obtain as this is your common honeysuckle vine most frequently seen rambling through trees, bushes and fence lines.
What type of honeysuckle is fragrant?
Lonicera flava or Yellow Honeysuckle is a native North American vine celebrated for its clusters of tubular, fragrant yellow flowers.
What are the negatives of honeysuckle?
Invasive honeysuckles cause ecological harm by reducing native plant diversity, shading out tree seedlings, providing berries of poor nutritional value to …Jun 22, 2022
What kind of honeysuckle blooms all summer?
(Lonicera sempervirens ‘Major Wheeler’) – Offers blazing red and gold blooms all summer long. Vigorous and mildew-free, growing 6-10 ft tall in zones 4-8.May 24, 2024