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Pip’s Plant of the Month: Lonicera fragrantissima (Winter flowering honeysuckle)


The Winter flowering honeysuckle is a highly fragrant shrub with cream-white flowers on almost leafless branches. It attracts winter active bumbl


bees. Its purple-flushed green leaves appear in spring. Although not a true climber it


can be easily trained up wires or over an arch and can also be shaped into an arching shrub.


The Winter flowering honeysuckle copes well in any soil. It prefers full sun in a south or west facing garden.


The hardy shrub grows to a height of 2m (6-7ft) by 3m (8-10ft) spread, prune back to shape as soon as its flowered. It can be under-planted with Snowdrops, hardy Cyclamen or Winter aconite.


SWADStyle Top 5 Garden Tips for February


1. Prune late flowering shrubs such as Buddleia, prune to about 30cm (1ft) from the ground


2. Start off tuberous Begonias in a greenhouse or warm windowsill. Half bury in compost, keep warm and evenly moist


3. From the middle of the month prune back roses to a vase shape and to an outward facing bud. Take out any dead, diseased or crossing branches.


4) Start forcing Rhubarb for early pickings. Either use a forcer or upturned dark coloured bin.


5) Sow vegetables under cloches for early crops e.g. broad beans, radishes or cauliflowers


By Pip Blackburn, Pippin Horticultural Services on behalf of the Swad in Bloom Community Group


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February 2021


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