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Winter honeysuckle 'Lonicera Purpusii 'Winter Beauty'

LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,382
in Plants
Anyone grow one of these in their garden?
I've just ordered one to give some winter flowering and to help bees.
I understand they can grow as a standalone shrub, which is what I am intending it to do.
Looking forward to seeing it in flower at the end of the year.


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  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,718
    Yes. I had three from hayloft. They came as tiny little things, not much more than rooted cuttings, but mine sat in a pot for a couple of years, but then went in the ground and is a bit spindly but flowers nicely. Mums went straight in the ground, is now three foot high, and when I saw it yesterday was flowering profusely and smelt really nice. It is amongst the shrub border. Mine is too near a Viburnum bodnantense which has a more intense perfume and overwhelms it a bit. The perfume is better on a still day.
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,916
    Yes, I’d agree. quite a soft, subtle perfume, but very lovely nonetheless.

    And we had bumblebees on it in the brief spell of calm sunshine at lunchtime today.

    And then you get the berries which the bird just go crazy for. 😁
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 11,195
    Yes, I have one too, high enough to cover a big waterbutt I sunk into a sloping side bed.
    The early bees love it and it's great to cut sprigs for indoors. Mine gets a bit lanky at 7ft plus tall but I hack it back as and when I feel the need. Probably that's why I don't see any berries.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,382
    edited February 2022
    I'm looking forward to receiving delivery of mine, though I'll be popping it in the greenhouse until the time is right to plant out.

    Do they tangle themselves up easily? I have a normal honeysuckle that climbs up a trellis and it can tangle itself up if left to its own devices.
  • newbie77newbie77 Posts: 1,730
    If it is a small plant, it would need some support like a cane or something for 1-2 years. After that it would be a stand-alone shrub.
    South West London
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    Lovely, lovely things. Flower all winter and gorgeous scent. I get a bit depressed in winter and flowering, scented shrubs like these really lift the spirits and cheer you up.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,718
    Mine doesn't show any inclination of climbing like a normal honeysuckle. Just a small shrub.
  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
    No, it doesn't climb, it's bushy.
  • LeadFarmerLeadFarmer Posts: 1,382
    I bought it from Blubell Arburetum & Nursery, who were about the best price I could find amongst the few places who had them for sale.

    Really impressed with them actually as they phoned me yesterday to inform me about the plant, describe its condition and to offer growing tips. Never had that before. 

    https://www.bluebellnursery.com/Lonicera/1681-Lonicera-x-purpusii-Winter-Beauty.html
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 4,309
    I have visited Bluebell Nursery lovely if you are interested in trees. I have wondered about growing this Lonicera, it grew around a friends front door and yes it got into a tangle. Can it be pruned after flowering or is the clue in the fact it's in the honeysuckle family so you have to accept it will be untidy? 
    RETIRED GARDENER, SOUTH NOTTS, SOIL.

    BROWN IS A COLOUR   Piet Oudolf
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