Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum 'Heaven Scent'

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The plant commonly known as 'Heaven Scent' honeysuckle is a deciduous climber renowned for its highly fragrant flowers. Typically twining and sprawling, it possesses stems that can wrap around structures or spread across the ground if left to grow freely. The leaves of this plant are oval-shaped, coming to a point at the ends, and often have a blue-green hue. One of the most striking features of 'Heaven Scent' honeysuckle is its flowers which bloom profusely. These flowers are tubular in shape, displaying a dual color palette: they start as a creamy white and mature to a rich and vibrant pink or yellow, with the soft transition of hues adding to their visual appeal. The plant's blossoms are further distinguished by their sweet and intense aroma that can fill the surrounding air, especially in the evening or at night. After the flowering season, 'Heaven Scent' honeysuckle produces small, red berries which provide a source of food for local bird species, though these berries should not be consumed by humans since they are considered toxic. The overall aesthetic of this plant, with its graceful flowers and stance, together with its scent, makes it a favored choice for gardens and outdoor spaces.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Caprifoliaceae.
- Synonyms
  Heaven Scent Honeysuckle, Woodbine Heaven Scent.
- Common names
  Lonicera periclymenum 'Heaven Scent'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The plant commonly known as honeysuckle (in general, since 'Heaven Scent' is a specific cultivar of Lonicera periclymenum) is not considered severely toxic to humans. However, some people may have a sensitivity to it. Ingesting parts of most species of honeysuckle can lead to mild symptoms such as stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid consuming this plant.
- To pets
  Honeysuckle can be toxic to pets, particularly dogs and cats, if ingested. The plant contains saponins, which can cause mild to moderate symptoms of poisoning in animals. These symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and a lack of appetite. In severe cases, ingesting honeysuckle can lead to more serious symptoms, and it is recommended to contact a veterinarian if you suspect your pet has consumed any part of this plant.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Cream
- Height
  6-20 feet (1.8-6 meters)
- Spread
  6-20 feet (1.8-6 meters)
- Plant type
  Climber
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts Wildlife: The flowers of Lonicera periclymenum 'Heaven Scent' provide nectar for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, enhancing biodiversity.
- Fragrant Flowers: It emits a pleasant fragrance, especially in the evening, contributing to a delightful sensory garden experience.
- Aesthetic Appeal: With its attractive flowers and vigorous twining growth, it adds visual interest to gardens, walls, and fences.
- Easy to Grow: This honeysuckle is relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal maintenance once established.
- Shade Tolerance: It can grow in partial shade, offering flexibility in garden design.
- Seasonal Interest: It provides extended interest from late spring to late summer with its long blooming period.
Medical Properties
- Antibacterial: Lonicera periclymenum, commonly known as Honeysuckle, has been traditionally used for its antibacterial properties.
- Anti-inflammatory: Honeysuckle can help reduce inflammation, which is why it has been used in the treatment of various inflammatory conditions.
- Diuretic: It is known to possess diuretic properties, promoting increased urine production and potentially helping with fluid retention.
- Antioxidant: The plant contains antioxidants that are believed to help protect the body from oxidative stress and free radicals.
- Skin treatment: Topically, honeysuckle has been used to alleviate skin rashes and conditions due to its soothing effects.
This plant is not used for medical purposes
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Creating perfumes: The fragrant flowers of honeysuckle can be used in the creation of natural perfumes, providing a sweet and enduring scent.
- Culinary decoration: The delicate flowers of honeysuckle can be used as edible garnishes on desserts and drinks for an elegant presentation.
- Nectar source for beekeeping: Honeysuckle is an excellent source of nectar, making it beneficial for beekeepers looking to promote honey production.
- Handicraft material: The flexible stems of honeysuckle can be woven into traditional crafts, such as baskets or ornaments.
- Dye production: Although not commonly known, honeysuckle can be used to produce a natural dye for coloring fabrics and yarns.
- Photography: Its vibrant flowers and lush growth make honeysuckle a popular subject for garden and nature photographers.
- Education: Honeysuckle can be used as a teaching tool in botany and horticulture to demonstrate pollination and plant growth habits.
- Wildlife support: The plant provides food and habitat for various wildlife species, including birds and butterflies.
- Soil stabilization: Honeysuckle’s dense root system can help prevent soil erosion in certain landscapes.
- Fragrance sachets: Dried honeysuckle flowers can be placed in small pouches to create natural air fresheners for drawers and closets.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The plant Honeysuckle is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The plant Honeysuckle is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Love and Devotion: The common name for Lonicera periclymenum 'Heaven Scent' is Honeysuckle. Honeysuckle is often associated with love and devotion due to its sweet fragrance and the way it clings to structures, symbolizing the binding nature of love.
- Affection: Giving honeysuckle to someone is considered a gesture of affection, representing the giver's commitment and care for the recipient.
- Generosity: Honeysuckle flowers are abundant and generous in their nectar, symbolizing the idea of giving generously without expecting anything in return.
- Happiness: The pleasant smell of honeysuckle is known to uplift the spirits, making it a symbol of happiness and joy.
- Friendship: Because honeysuckle can grow and thrive in many conditions, it symbolizes the steadfast nature of true friendship that endures through good times and bad.
- Protection: In folklore, honeysuckle is said to guard against evil, and planting it near your home was thought to bring protection to the household.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Early Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Water the common honeysuckle, or Lonicera periclymenum 'Heaven Scent', deeply once a week, providing about a gallon of water each time to ensure the root zone is thoroughly moistened. In hot or dry weather, it may require additional water, potentially twice a week, to maintain consistently moist soil. Be cautious not to overwater, as the honeysuckle does not like to sit in waterlogged soil; always check that the top inch of soil is dry before watering again. During the winter months, reduce the frequency of watering since the plant's water requirements decrease as it enters dormancy.
Light
The common honeysuckle thrives in full sun to partial shade. It does best when planted in a location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight a day but can also benefit from light afternoon shade in hotter climates. Avoid placing it in deep shade, as this can lead to fewer flowers and a less vigorous plant.
Temperature
Common honeysuckle is hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures; it prefers an environment between 40°F and 80°F but can survive winter dips down to -20°F. During summer, it can handle temperatures up to 90°F, but at the higher end of this range, providing some shade and ensuring adequate watering is beneficial.
Pruning
Prune the common honeysuckle lightly in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and encourage vigorous growth. Additionally, after the flowering period ends, pruning can be done to remove spent blooms and any dead or overgrown branches. Regular pruning helps to promote better air circulation within the plant and encourages more blooms in the following season.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Honeysuckle 'Heaven Scent' thrives best in well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A mixture of loam, peat, and sharp sand in equal parts is ideal, helping to ensure good drainage while retaining moisture. Compost can also be added to enrich the soil. The pH should be moderately acidic to neutral, ideally between 5.5 and 7.
Repotting
Honeysuckle 'Heaven Scent' should be repotted every 2 to 3 years to ensure it continues to grow vigorously. It is best to repot in the spring before new growth begins, allowing the plant to establish in the new pot throughout the growing season.
Humidity & Misting
Honeysuckle 'Heaven Scent' prefers a moderate humidity level but is quite adaptable to various conditions. It does not require excessively high humidity and can tolerate the humidity levels typically found in outdoor environments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in a sunny spot, moist soil, and provide a support to climb.
- Outdoor
  Plant in sun or partial shade, moist, well-drained soil, and train on structures.
- Hardiness zone
  4-9 USDA
Life cycle
Lonicera periclymenum 'Heaven Scent', commonly known as Honeysuckle 'Heaven Scent', begins its life as a seed, which germinates in favourable conditions of warmth and humidity. Upon germination, the plant sends out a radicle (which will become the main root) and a shoot that will become the stem and first leaves. As it matures, the honeysuckle develops a woody twining stem and produces large, fragrant flowers, typically blooming from late spring to midsummer. Following pollination, often by moths or bees attracted to the scent, the plant develops small red berries containing seeds, thus completing the reproductive stage. During autumn, the leaves may yellow and drop as the plant enters dormancy, especially in colder climates. Every spring, the cycle can recommence, with new growth sprouting from the root system or seeds contributing to the spread of the plant.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Early Spring to Summer
- Lonicera periclymenum 'Heaven Scent', commonly known as Honeysuckle 'Heaven Scent', is most effectively propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. This method is typically done in late summer. To propagate by cuttings, select a healthy and non-flowering shoot, and cut a 6-inch (about 15 centimeters) piece just below a leaf node. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting, leaving a few at the top for photosynthesis. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder to encourage root development, then plant the cutting in a pot filled with a mixture of peat and perlite. Keep the pot in a warm, humid environment with indirect sunlight, and maintain consistent soil moisture. Roots usually develop in a few weeks, after which the new Honeysuckle plant can be repotted or planted out.