Tuesday 7 June 2016

New shrubby Lonicera

What a fascinating genus Lonicera is. Most people I guess think of the climbing honeysuckle but there are at least as many non-climbing shrubby species, and a very varied bunch they are too. Almost all are easy and hardy in a variety of situations.

Lonicera chaetocarpa
Lonicera chaetocarpa
An unusual and very un-honeysuckle-like non-climbing species with pairs of funnel-shaped pale yellow flowers in a large bristly papery pinkish or yellowish calyx, which persists around the orange berries. 
Lonicera chaetocarpa
The leaves are rich green and bristly. Very easy and hardy.
£16


Lonicera myrtillus
Lonicera mytilloides
A very different species with small rounded leaves and rosy white urn-shaped flowers - almost like some sort of ericaceous shrub (hence the name). Also makes red berries.
Lonicera myrtillus
Compact and easily pleased
£16


Lonicera alberti
A very distinctive low-growing species with narrow grey-green leaves and tubular scented mauve-pink flowers. Likes a sunny, well drained, open spot. No flowers yet - hence no picture
£16


Lonicera elisae
Lonicera elisae
A very beautiful late winter/early spring flowering species, producing clusters of dangling soft pink scented flowers, sometimes followed by orange berries. 
Lonicera elisae
The new foliage is tinted purple and turns purple again in autumn.
£16

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