Lonicera fragrantissima

winter honeysuckle

• Position: full sun or partial shade
• Soil: fertile, humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: January to March
• Flower colour: creamy-white
• Hardiness: fully hardy
  
  This wonderful, winter-flowering shrub produces fragrant, creamy-white flowers in mild spells between December and March on almost leafless branches. These are sometimes followed by dull-red berries, which may cause a mild stomach upset if ingested. The leaves, when they appear are a rich shade of green - usually flushed with a plush purple. This is a splendid, deciduous or semi-evergreen shrub, that will flower more profusely when trained against a sunny wall. Try to plant it close to an entrance or pathway so you can catch its lingering aroma each time you pass.
  
  
• Garden care: Cut back established plants after flowering, removing a third of the flowering shoots. Apply a generous 5-7cm (2-3in) mulch of well-rotted compost or manure around the base of the plant in early spring.
  
  

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