It is warmer weather, with longer days and star-filled nights. A sweet smell wafts through the light breeze during an afternoon stroll. It beckons the nose to follow as the honeyed fragrance evokes a slideshow of childhood summers filled with sunshine, simple joys and the legendary taste that came as small fingers grasped delicate, yellow flowers and slowly pulled out the pistil. The reward was the sweetest of garden treats. A tiny drop of nectar from the legendary Lonicera periclymenum, or as everyone else knows it - the common white honeysuckle. A vine that truly holds a special place in the heart of summer.
Southern summers would not be the same without honeysuckles. They make up a diverse family of plants that can be vastly different. Some variants are highly invasive and need culling, while others are a welcome addition to anyone’s garden.
Driving down a country road, it is not uncommon to come across air that is redolent with their rich scent. However, that subspecies grows unchecked in the wild - twisting around poles and trees and causing havoc as they wrap around small buildings and create imposing shrubs that are hard to cut down.
With it being such a familiar plant, it is almost hard to believe that they were first imported to the United States, specifically in 1806 on Long Island, New York, for “decorative” purposes as well as for their root system’s ability to help fight erosion. Knowing that, and the sheer abundance of the flowering plants across the country, the explosion of growth is almost unbelievable.
The biggest culprit is the invasive Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). Although they have some similar features, the Japanese honeysuckle flowers are found in pairs and can be identified by their black or purple berries. Regular honeysuckle flowers grow in whorls and have bright red berries. The heart of the issue with the invasive species is their uncontrolled growth, with documented cases of them climbing as high as 120 feet up trees and buildings.
When it comes to these invasive honeysuckle plants, there is only one tried and true remedy. Just cutting the plants down will only make them more robust as it causes a massive increase in the creation of offshooting stems. The fix is to add an herbicide after trimming which will eradicate the root system and prevent regrowth. Local master gardeners can provide a wealth of knowledge on various ways to get rid of unwanted growths including many safe, non-toxic solutions.
On the other end of the spectrum, cultivating the perfect common honeysuckle will add bursts of color and, of course, nostalgia, to your garden. Also known as woodbine, the white honeysuckle is a European variety that tends to be better behaved, grows at a moderate pace and adds a touch of beauty to its surroundings. It releases its strongest scent at night and certainly adds to that “magical garden” feeling.
So, how do we ensure that the honeysuckle plants in our yards are in top health? A few tried and true practices will keep your blooms beautiful and, with some of the newer varieties, looking exotic with amazing and stunning colors.
Common honeysuckle plants can thrive in most situations. However, overwatering is not suggested, as it drowns the roots. To help these flowering vines establish themselves, consider using staking, wires, or a trellis. While they may scorch in full sun, honeysuckles will produce more blooms if they receive ample sunlight in the mornings. Planting them in an area with some shade while allowing the plant to climb toward the light is ideal. Nutrient-rich soil, enhanced with compost, is a wonderful substrate and watering during dry spells will promote their growth. Of course, regular pruning will prevent these plants from becoming overgrown.
Popular common honeysuckle varieties known for their beautiful flowers and compact size include Peaches and Cream, Sweet Tea, and Scentsation. These honeysuckle flowers can bloom in different shades, depending on the variety. The colors of honeysuckle plants can vary, with new hybrids being regularly introduced. However, the most common are also the loveliest and they include:
Yellow (Lonicera tragophylla) has large, yellow to orange flowers in summer.
White (Lonicera periclymenum or woodbine) has highly fragrant, white to cream flowers in midsummer.
Red (Lonicera sempervirens or coral honeysuckle) has tubular, red flowers with yellow throats in spring and summer.
Pink (Lonicera x heckrottii or goldflame honeysuckle) has pink and yellow flowers with a sweet fragrance in summer and fall.
Orange (Lonicera x brownii or scarlet trumpet honeysuckle) has bright orange-red flowers with yellow centers.
Pruning and trimming honeysuckle plants after they are well-established can improve their appearance and health. These plants bloom on the previous year’s growth, with the first bloom in spring and sporadic blooming in summer. Removing dead and damaged branches at any time will help keep the vine healthy. More significant pruning should be done after a bloom in late summer to avoid removing flower buds. Trimming wayward vines or cutting back the plant up to a third of its size can help control its growth. Renovating older plants by cutting them back to about 24 inches above the ground in late winter can rejuvenate them and promote new shoots.
Want to grow new honeysuckle plants? There are a few proven ways to go about the process. Using cuttings is a simple way to create various honeysuckles. During the summer, six-inch semi-ripe cuttings can be taken from one-year-old vines, then, with the use of rooting powder mixed with potting soil, they can be planted in well-draining containers. In addition, seeds can be saved from the bright red berries that drop in the fall, or they can be purchased from a garden center. Sow the seeds directly in potting soil or cold stratify them before planting indoors. Cold stratification involves keeping the seeds in a compost mixture in the refrigerator for about three months before planting in the spring.
Winter care involves mulching to protect the roots from cold temperatures and using straw or organic compost around the base of the plant in the fall. While common honeysuckle plants are relatively low-maintenance, they may face issues like aphid infestations, which can cause curling leaves. Proper care and insecticidal soap can help manage this problem. Leaves turning black or brown may indicate diseases like sudden oak death, over-fertilization, or leaf spots, and require prompt attention and appropriate treatment.
So, how do we translate that amazing childhood memory of enjoying honeysuckle nectar and create new experiences to cherish? Getting honeysuckle out of the yard and into the kitchen!
Honeysuckle plants are not just beautiful in gardens. They can also be made into tasty treats, with recipes being used in some of the most unique fusion restaurants as well as in down-home kitchens cooked with love. A myriad of recipes are readily available across multiple epicurean websites.
One popular way to incorporate honeysuckle into recipes is by making honeysuckle simple syrup. This sweet and floral delight can be drizzled over pancakes, mixed into cocktails, or used to flavor desserts like ice cream or cakes. Honeysuckle can also be infused into vinegar, used in marinades for meat dishes, or even added to savory sauces for a unique twist. The possibilities are endless when it comes to incorporating the delicate and fragrant flavor of honeysuckle into your culinary creations.
So, as the amazing honeysuckle blooms in the heat of summer, we can take a moment to step back in time. Gently pull that flower again, pull the pistil for the nectar and be a child again for just a moment - then bring more inside! Go ahead and create fragrant arrangements and tasty drinks or savory dishes with the amazingly sweet and superb honeysuckle.
HONEYSUCKLE SIMPLE SYRUP
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 cup honeysuckle flowers
Directions:
Add sugar and water to a small pot on the stove. Bring to a simmer until sugar is dissolved. Add honeysuckle flowers and remove from heat. Allow to ‘steep’ for 30 minutes. Strain and bottle.
Store in fridge. Add to coffee, sweet tea, or a vodka seltzer. You can also add a teaspoon into a homemade dressing as a thickener and sweetener.
LEMON HONEYSUCKLE COCKTAIL
Courtesy of Lemon Baby
Ingredients:
- 3 ounces gin
- 3 ounces lemon juice
- 2 ounces honeysuckle simple syrup
- Club soda for topping
- Honeysuckle sprig and a lemon wheel for garnish
Directions:
Combine gin, lemon juice, and syrup in a shaker and stir.
Fill two rocks glasses with ice.
Strain into two short glasses, top with soda and garnish with a lemon wheel.