Lonicera fragrantissima
Common name: 
Winter Honeysuckle
Sweet-Breath-of-Sping
January Jasmine
Pronunciation: 
lon-ISS-er-a fra-gran-TIS-i-ma
Family: 
Caprifoliaceae
Genus: 
Lonicera
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadlead deciduous, or partly evergreen, shrub, 6-10(15) ft [1.8-3(4.5) m] high, equal spread, irregularly rounded, tangled mass of recurving branches.  Leaves opposite, simple, elliptic to broad-ovate, 2.5-7.5 cm long, dull blue-green to dark green, midrib covered with bristles.  Flowers small, about 1 cm or so, creamy white, not very showy, lemon-scented and extremely fragrant; in mild climates it may bloom from December into March.  Fruit a berry, 6-8 mm diameter, dark red, hidden under the foliage, in late spring.
  • Sun to partial shade.  Prefers good loamy soil, moist, well-drained soil, avoid wet situations.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 4      Native to eastern China
  • Caution: Lonicera fragrantissima, as well as several other "bush honeysuckles", is considered an invasive species of the forests of several southern states, in that area it is commonly known as Sweet-breath-of-sping and/or January jasmine.
  • fragrantissima: very fragrant.
  • Oregon State Univ. campus: east side (north end) of Weniger Hall.
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, winter flowering

    plant habit, winter flowering

  • flowers

    flowers

  • flower

    flower

  • mature leaves, winter

    mature leaves, winter

  • young leaves, spring

    young leaves, spring

  • plant habit, summer

    plant habit, summer

  • leaves, summer

    leaves, summer

  • leaf and margin

    leaf and margin

  • winter twigs, buds

    winter twigs, buds