We all know the voluptuous summer fragrance of the twining honeysuckle. It’s such a familiar feature of our hedgerows and yards. If you already know how to grow honeysuckle, it will give you beautiful color, a wonderful scent, and easy growth.
Climbing honeysuckle bring us billowing color, intoxicating evening fragrance and valuable nesting sites for birds. But there are three other types of honeysuckles that are very different from this one. They are shrubs instead of climbers and don’t look much like honeysuckles at all.
These honeysuckles are all shrubs rather than climbers, and they fall into three groups. There are the deciduous, winter flowering honeysuckles, with their creamy flowers opening on the bare branches. There are the very different evergreen shrubby honeysuckles, often used for hedging or ground cover. And there are also honeysuckles grown for their edible berries, known as honeyberries (Lonicera caerulea). In recent years there have been developments in this group and improved varieties are becoming available.
All honeysuckles are easy to grow, and most will grow in a number of different situations. Shrubby evergreen types are good in shade, and make fine low hedges or small scale features and topiaries. Winter flowering types, on the other hand, bring color and scent when we and early flying bees need it the most.
With their intoxicating fragrance and pretty blooms, honeysuckles are a quintessential vine for gardens. There are many honeysuckle species and cultivars to choose from, some much more aromatic than others. So what is the most fragrant honeysuckle variety you can grow?
When it comes to the most powerfully scented honeysuckle, a few stand out above the rest. Here are some of the top contenders for the most fragrant honeysuckle
Lonicera periclymenum – Common Honeysuckle
This species, also known as woodbine or European honeysuckle, is considered one of the most fragrant types overall. There are many cultivars to choose from, such as:
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‘Belgica’ – Very fragrant purple and cream flowers
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‘Graham Thomas’ – Pale yellow, sweetly scented blooms
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‘Serotina’ – Abundant late summer-fall flowers with intense aroma
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‘Sweet Sue’ – Prolific bloomer with very fragrant white and yellow flowers
Lonicera x brownii – Brown’s Honeysuckle
This hybrid between L. japonica and L. sempervirens bears extremely fragrant flowers over a long spring to fall bloom season. ‘Dropmore Scarlet’ is an excellent cultivar.
Lonicera x heckrottii – Goldflame Honeysuckle
A cross between L. sempervirens and L. americana, its flowers fade from deep pink to creamy yellow and emit a lovely fragrance.
Lonicera japonica – Japanese Honeysuckle
Despite its invasive tendencies, Japanese honeysuckle is beloved for its very sweet, strong scent. ‘Aureoreticulata’ and ‘Purpurea’ have great fragrance. Use non-vining cultivars.
Lonicera sempervirens – Coral Honeysuckle
A native, non-invasive vine with clusters of scarlet-orange, nectar-rich, lightly fragrant blooms. ‘Major Wheeler’ and ‘John Clayton’ are superb fragrant varieties.
Other Notable Fragrant Varieties
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Lonicera x americana ‘Superba’ – Excellent lemony fragrance
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Lonicera tellmanniana – Early blooms with intense scent
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Lonicera hildebrandiana – Rare but wonderfully fragrant
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Lonicera tragophylla – Unique fragrant yellow flowers
How to Select the Most Fragrant Honeysuckle
When choosing the most aromatic honeysuckle for your specific needs, consider these factors:
Growth Habit
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Vining – Best for trellises, fences, arbors. Many Lonicera species.
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Shrubby – For hedges and screens. L. maackii and L. xylosteum types.
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Dwarf varieties – For containers and smaller spaces. L. periclymenum, L. japonica.
Bloom Time
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Spring bloomers – Early scent. L. tellmanniana, L. x brownii.
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Summer bloomers – Peak fragrance. Most Lonicera species.
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Repeat blooming – Extended fragrance. L. sempervirens, L. x brownii.
Flower Color
- White, yellow, orange, red – Most are fragrant!
Scent Intensity
- Subtle to strongly scented options available. Smell firsthand before choosing!
Invasiveness
- Ensure species/cultivar is non-invasive. Avoid L. japonica, L. maackii.
Hardiness
- Select types suited to your zone (most are zones 4-9).
Sun Exposure
- Part sun to full sun for most. Dappled light for dwarfs.
Growing and Caring for Fragrant Honeysuckle Vines
Once you’ve selected the perfect fragrant honeysuckle for your landscape, provide good care to keep it thriving:
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Plant in well-draining soil enriched with compost. Establish vines before summer heat.
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Install sturdy supports for vining types to climb. Trellises, arbors, fences are great.
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Water regularly the first year, then weekly in droughts once established.
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Apply mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
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Prune lightly after flowering to shape and improve air circulation.
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Check for common pests like spider mites, aphids, Japanese beetles. Treat promptly.
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Apply fungicides if powdery mildew is a problem. Improve airflow.
With proper selection, planting and care you can enjoy the heavenly fragrance of honeysuckle in your garden for years to come. Choose a type with abundant, sweetly scented flowers and let your landscape come alive with nostalgic honeysuckle perfume.
Common Questions and Answers About Fragrant Honeysuckle
Still wondering what is the most fragrant variety of honeysuckle for your unique needs? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
What is the sweetest smelling honeysuckle?
Lonicera periclymenum (common honeysuckle) and Lonicera x brownii (Brown’s honeysuckle) are often cited as among the sweetest smelling honeysuckle species. Some specific extra-fragrant cultivars to look for are L. periclymenum ‘Belgica’, ‘Serotina’ and ‘Sweet Sue’, along with L. x brownii ‘Dropmore Scarlet’.
What honeysuckle has the strongest scent?
Of honeysuckle vines, Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is often noted for its very intense, sweet perfume. Be aware though that this species can be highly invasive. For a sturdy, non-vining native with good fragrance, try coral honeysuckle (L. sempervirens).
Which honeysuckle smells the best at night?
Most honeysuckle varieties smell heavenly in the evening when their flowers are fully open and actively emitting scent. Lonicera periclymenum and Lonicera x brownii are especially night-fragrant. Place vines near windows or paths where you can enjoy the full fragrance at night.
Do all honeysuckle smell good?
While most types have pleasant fragrance, some honeysuckle species and cultivars are bred more for ornamental flowers or hardy growth than scent. Smell options firsthand at the nursery when possible to ensure you get one of the aromatic varieties.
How long do honeysuckle blooms last?
Depending on the variety, honeysuckle vines typically flower from spring through fall, with peak flowering in summer. Individual blooms last about a week. To extend the fragrant bloom period, choose reblooming varieties like L. sempervirens or L. x brownii.
Are honeysuckle berries edible?
The berries of some honeysuckle species like Lonicera caerulea are edible. However most common garden varieties have toxic berries that can cause stomach upset if ingested, especially for children. Enjoy the flowers for fragrance rather than eating the berries.
With their divine fragrance and ornamental appeal, aromatic honeysuckle vines should have a spot in every garden. Decide which growth habit, bloom time and intensity of scent suits your landscape needs. Then select from the most exquisitely fragrant varieties to perfume your outdoor living spaces with beautiful honeysuckle’s sweet bouquet.
Lonicera ligustrina ‘Baggesen’s Gold’ (Image credit: Alamy/Klaus Steinkamp)
This small, densely growing, evergreen combines quick growth, with tolerance of regular clipping. The small neat leaves are yellow in summer.
Good for Low hedges, small specimens
Hardiness zone 4-9
Height 90cm-1.2m (3-4ft)
Also try ‘Lemon Beauty’, with cream-edged, dark green leaves
10 best honeysuckle varieties
A stunning variety of climbers and bushy honeysuckle shrubs, these are our top ten picks for your yard.