How to identify Winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima)

How to identify Winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima)

Winter honeysuckle, also known as Fragrant honeysuckle, Chinese honeysuckle, Sweetest honeysuckle

Winter honeysuckle is a sprawling shrub reaching 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3 meters) in height and width, characterized by a dense intertwining of branches. The plant is deciduous to semi-evergreen with a bushy, irregular shape. Its small, lemon-scented, creamy-white flowers bloom in cooler months, typically between December and March. Following flowering, its foliage, comprised of rounded, dull blue-green to dark green leaves with slightly toothed edges, emerges. By late spring or early summer, it bears inconspicuous dark red berries, often obscured by leaves.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Winter honeysuckle

Deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub, sprawling to 6-10 feet (1.8-3 meters) in height and width.

Creamy-white flowers with lemon scent, blooming December to March, tubular with thin petals.

Distinctive heart-shaped, orange to dark red berries, around 0.3 inches (7.6 mm) in size.

Leathery, elliptic to ovate leaves, blue-green to dark green, 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm).

Solid stems with white pith, purple when young, 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) in diameter.

Detailed Traits of Winter honeysuckle

Leaf Features

The leaves of winter honeysuckle are leathery and exhibit an elliptic to broadly ovate shape, measuring 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) in length and width. They are blue-green to dark green and can be either smooth or pubescent, with crenulate margins. The midrib is characterized by bristles. These leaves are arranged oppositely and simple in structure, contributing to the plant's distinctive appearance.

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Flower Features

Winter honeysuckle flowers are creamy-white with hints of pink or red, featuring a tubular, thin-petaled, two-lipped structure. The flowers are fragrant, possessing a distinct lemon scent. Stamens and styles protrude beyond the corolla tube. Blooming from December to March, they appear in pairs in the leaf axils before the leaves emerge. Ideal for cutting, their branches make aromatic floral arrangements, signaling early spring.

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Stem Features

The stems of winter honeysuckle are solid and contain white pith, with a stringy tan bark. When young, the stems exhibit a distinctive purple hue and are glabrous (smooth). A unique feature is the stipular scar forming a line across the stem at each node. Typically, these stems are sturdy and exhibit a considerable thickness, making them easily identifiable. Measurements of the stems vary with age but on average are around 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) in diameter.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of winter honeysuckle is characterized by its striking orange to dark red hue and distinct, heart-shaped form, with a modest size of approximately 0.3 inches (7.6 mm). These twin berries, resulting from fused ovaries at their base, are subtly nestled within the plant's foliage. As the season progresses from late spring into early summer, the fruits reach maturity, revealing their inner seeds—tiny, brown, and oblong, with a flattish contour.

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Winter honeysuckle and Their Similar Plants

Amur honeysuckle vs. Winter honeysuckle: What's The Difference?

Amur honeysuckle is a massively-branched, perennial shrub with dark green leaves, aromatic white flowers, and luscious burgundy berries that are inedible to humans but relished by birds propagating the seeds. This East Asian native shrub has been utilized in landscape decoration, wildlife cover, and erosion control. However, it is no longer recommended for planting due to invasiveness issues.

Japanese honeysuckle vs. Winter honeysuckle: What's The Difference?

Japanese honeysuckle (*Lonicera japonica*) is a twining vine native to East Asia. It features white-yellow flowers that emit a pleasant, sweet aroma and are often visited by pollinators such as honeybees, but some parts of the plant are toxic to humans. In landscaping, japanese honeysuckle is used as a groundcover because its dense, fast-growing nature helps prevent weeds and improve soil health.

Tatarian honeysuckle vs. Winter honeysuckle: What's The Difference?

Native to Siberia and East Asia, the tatarian honeysuckle was introduced to North America in 1752 as an ornamental plant. However, it is now out of control and widely considered as an invasive plant in North America. Though centimeter-sized fruits look delicious, they are NOT edible to humans, actually.

European honeysuckle vs. Winter honeysuckle: What's The Difference?

European honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) is a flowering plant native to Europe, North Africa, and Turkey. As all honeysuckle, european honeysuckle's flowers are white when they are just blooming and gradually turn yellow. Its flowers are high scented at night and attract moths and bees as pollinators.

Trumpet honeysuckle vs. Winter honeysuckle: What's The Difference?

Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) is an eastern United States vine. It attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Trumpet honeysuckle is grown for ornamental purposes, often as an alternative to the invasive species Japanese honeysuckle.

Boxleaf Honeysuckle vs. Winter honeysuckle: What's The Difference?

Boxleaf Honeysuckle is cultivated and popular as a fast-growing evergreen or semi-evergreen hedge that takes well to clipping. The common name 'Boxleaf Honeysuckle' refers to the fact that the small oval leaves resemble Boxwood shrubs, and its use as a hedge or a screen makes the similarities even more meaningful.

Henry's honeysuckle vs. Winter honeysuckle: What's The Difference?

Henry's honeysuckle (Lonicera acuminata) is a tropical vine that is frequently visited by butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Its climbing nature makes it a great wall plant for attracting wildlife into ornamental gardens. In the Philippines, the plant's sturdy stems are used as bindings in the construction of fences.

Limber honeysuckle vs. Winter honeysuckle: What's The Difference?

Limber honeysuckle (*Lonicera dioica*) is a perennial vine species related to honeysuckle. It is native to Canada and the eastern and central United States. Also known as wild honeysuckle, it blooms from spring to summer and prefers partial to full shade.

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Key Facts About Winter honeysuckle

Attributes of Winter honeysuckle

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

1 m to 3 m

Spread

1.8 m to 3 m

Leaf Color

Green

Blue

Flower Size

2.5 cm

Leaf type

Deciduous

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Scientific Classification of Winter honeysuckle

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Honeysuckles, moschatels and allies

Family

Honeysuckle

Genus

Honeysuckles

Species

Winter honeysuckle (Lonicera fragrantissima)

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Distribution Map of Winter honeysuckle

Winter honeysuckle originates from East Asia, flourishing in temperate regions. It has been introduced and is now thriving in various parts of Eastern Europe. Although not native to these areas, winter honeysuckle has adapted well and is often cultivated in gardens and parks for its appealing characteristics, extending its presence beyond its natural range.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Winter honeysuckle

A Comprehensive Guide to Winter honeysuckle How to Grow and Care for Winter honeysuckle