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Carolina Gardening

planted a Lonicera fragrantissima today!

17 years ago

WOW! They smell wonderful! A garden buddy on my street had plenty of extra plants and dug one up for me today in full bloom. It is a species of shrub honeysuckle called Breath of Spring. Does anyone else grow it? Isnt it incredible to have something in bloom right now and so fragrant? I recommend it highly, but it seems a bit rare or at least an old fashioned favorite, as it is growing on an historic property (former L.A. Reynolds homestead as in the local nurseryman). I would enjoy learning more.

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Comments (5)

bartj13
17 years ago
They are Asian but do well here. I bought one at Niche Gardens in Chapel Hill about 10 years ago. It was in a gallon pot, a single stem 12" tall. After 10 years it is 8'tall and 10' in circumference. It blooms Dec-March, buds opening during warm spells. The fragrance travels long distances. You can cut off a budded branch and it will open indoors.I have never fed it or even pruned it, though it can be treated like a hedge plant. Give it plenty of room. Mine does fine in 1/2 sun but would probably have more buds with more sun. It is generally evergreen but will lose leaves if the temps drop below 10F.
nonews
17 years ago
I planted one last year and just went out to check on mine. It has blossoms!! and they do smell lovely. I also noticed some daffodils sending up their leaves. Oh, what fun to wander in the garden. Nancy
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I saw some bonsai plants at a nursery near Mom's house, Pat, and I fell in love! Mom gave me some incense cedar seeds to try, and I lost them, but they have plenty more. I think the trick (with me) is to just jump in and try it. Although, I might try it on a cheaper plant than the Lonicera. Cottage Gardens of Petaluma is VERY proud of their little darlings. LOL Instead of waiting for the seeds to sprout, I think I'll start with a smaller conifer, if I can find one and not plant it immediately. I'm easily spooked when it comes to pruning of any sort. :D (Oh, my goodness! I just looked up the Lonicera pics, and those bonsai are gorgeous! My plants are pretty small now, too....Ooooo, should I? *nail biting to the maximum*) Brenda
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At this point the hummers are visiting all the expected plants in the yard, except. I grew out this big group a African Gold Impatiens and planted a patch alongside the garage in a shade garden. They are growing really well, thick stems, lots of flowers, but as of yet I have not caught a hummer feeding at them. They've definitely been visiting the hardy fuschias nearby, but everytime I come around the side of the garage if there is a hummer there it flushes. Maybe a bottle of wine and a big sit is in order. It's the same with the fusion impatiens in another shady area. These things must have nector since ants are visiting the flowers constantly, but again another couple of fuschias are stealing the show. I'm conserned about my liver, it may take a lot of wine to know for sure whether the hummers are using these impatiens. And I would concur about hummers and flowers. Its great to have that feeder up knowing that there is always food available. But there is nothing like watching a hummingbird working a flower patch - that is the best of both worlds. Mimi - you'll probably notice, if you haven't already, that your Cardinal Climber only provides food until early afternoon. Although in the evening I've always loved this plant when it is backlit by the sun. It is so cool it would be worth growing even if it never flowered. I have three posts out in the veggi garden that are connected by wires at the top and bottom, with strings running between the wires - my pea patch in spring. The wire at the top is rather old and lax causing a wave effect. In August when the vines have filled in and reached their full six feet the whole thing looks like a bat with its wings spread.
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I planted one today, we'll have to compare notes as they grow :). I'm hoping mine will go up a plant pole I used to hang fuchsia baskets on, since we took down the big cherry tree it's too sunny for fuchsias now. I still have the clemie Rebecca on this pole, although mine is not the right shade of red the two might look good together, if not it can be easily remedied. Annette
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Dibbit
17 years ago
Mine is also flowering - I will have to pick a few branches and bring them in... It's been about 4 years in the "shrubbery" bed, next to the drive with just shrubs in a long, mulched rectangle, and is doing very well after the first few years of looking ratty.

I just wish it were a more attractive shrub the rest of the year, instead of a rounded-y blob with a few long branches sticking up. Oh well, flowers AND fragrance this time of year, and through the winter, are not too shabby!
amyflora
17 years ago
This is one of my favorites, and very easy to cultivate. I cut mine back severely, a few years ago, and used the cuttings to make a wattle fence, and they all sprouted. I have lots of babies in my yard, and I wonder how easily they sprout from seeds "planted" by birds who have eaten the fruit.
Bartj13, I was the retail nursery manager at Niche 10 years ago, so I may have sold that shrub to you!! Am at BB now. Come visit. Happy New Year, and happy planting. -amy
dellare
17 years ago
Well Amyflora...I think you need to share those babies with a certain co-worker. Happy New Year to you. Adele

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