Lonicera purpusii 'Winter Beauty' (Winter honeysuckle) - winter flowering, strong fragrance
Lonicera x purpusii 'Winter Beauty' is a medium-sized shrub, with ovate leaves and small, strongly scented, cream-colored flowers. Flowers appear on almost bare branches during winter and early spring, sometimes followed by small, red fruits. The new growths are red-purple and then turn into dark green leaves.
Lonicera x purpusii, is a hybrid between Lonicera fragrantissima and Lonicera standishii, which appeared spontaneously at the Darmstadt Botanical Garden in 1923.
It is a medium-sized shrub that can reach heights of 1.5 - 2 meters and a similar width. It has a slightly irregular shape, with thin and arched branches.
The leaves are semi-persistent , dark green, oval and have a slightly glossy texture. In colder climates, the leaves may partially fall during the winter.
Lonicera purpusii 'Winter Beauty' blooms in winter, from December to March , producing small, creamy-white, extremely fragrant flowers. The flowers appear in pairs in the axils of the leaves and are a valuable source of nectar, in the warmer days of winter, for bees and other pollinating insects at a time when other flowers are rare. After flowering, the plant may produce small, red fruits that are attractive but not edible to humans.
It prefers sunny or semi-shaded places and well-drained soils. It is a cold-resistant plant and can tolerate various types of soil. It requires moderate watering and is relatively easy to maintain. Pruning after flowering can help maintain shape and stimulate vigorous growth.
Lonicera purpusii 'Winter Beauty' is ideal for winter gardens, hedges or as a solitary plant. Its pleasant fragrance and flowering during the cold season make it a popular choice for landscaping.
Height with pots included: approx. 40-60 cm
Pot diameter: 17 cm
Plants for the garden or terrace are grown in unprotected spaces or with minimal protection (shading nets or anti-hail nets). For this reason, naturally, they cannot have perfect foliage - the leaves can show traces, defects or other damages.
In the autumn-winter season, the plants are sold without leaves.