Lonicera fragrantissima seeds, fragrant honeysuckle

Lonicera fragrantissima seeds, fragrant honeysuckle

Lonicera fragrantissima is a species of flowering plants in the honey suckle family; known by the common names such as winter honeysuckle, fragrant honeysuckle, January jasmine, Chinese honeysuckle, kiss-me-at-the-gate, and the sweet breath of spring. The synonyms are Lonicera mamillaris Reder, Lonicera Phyllocarpa Maxim, Lonicera standishii Carrere, Lonicera pseudoproterantha Pamp and Lonicera proterantha Rehder. Lonicera fragrantissima belongs to the family Caprifoliaceae and genus Lonicera. Lonicera fragrantissima is native to Asia. It is also common in the wild, especially in the eastern parts of the United States from Ohio to New York.

Lonicera fragrantissima grows as a shrub. It grows to a height of 1m to 3m and sometimes to a height of 4.6metres. It is a deciduous shrub with slender spreading branches. It has leaves that measure 9cm long by 4.5cm wide. In winter to spring, the flowers grow in pairs and line up along the stem before the emergence of the leaves. The flowers are highly fragrant with a lemony scent, creamy-white and short-tubed. It has several stems in one root. Pollination occurs from winter to spring, depending on latitude and elevation. It has flowers which are rich in nectar and hence attract bees. The plant can be propagated artificially by planting the cuttings in a bucket. The site characteristics can greatly affect seed production.

L. fragrantissima has both environmental and economic benefits. Because of its beauty, Lonicera fragrantissima is used as an ornamental plant. It is grown in city gardens, coastal gardens, cottage gardens and beds and borders because of its great flowering. It is also a good smelling plant hence grown for its sweet scent around the gardens and recreational areas. It has been grown in many areas as food for wild animals. The plant is resistant to pest and diseases and therefore thrives well in a new environment. In areas where the plant is invasive, it reduces bio-diversity hence a threat to the environment. It is also used to make natural perfume and its smell can smell in a room for days. More than a hundred and fifty substances have been identified that form the fragrance of the honeysuckle.
It can be invasive in other areas, therefore, need to be monitored when growing in a new environment. Birds and animals easily disperse L. fragrantissima. The plant adapts to a wide range of soil and tolerates drought. It does well in well-drained soil and full sun.