Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum 'Scentsation' (PBR)
ABOUT
Lonicera periclymenum 'Scentsation', commonly known as honeysuckle, is a deciduous or semi-evergreen twining climber with a graceful appearance. It boasts oval, pointed green leaves that create a lush backdrop for its highly fragrant flowers. These blossoms appear in copious amounts from late spring to late summer and occasionally into fall, presenting a long season of visual and olfactory interest. The flowers are trumpet-shaped and showcase a whirled arrangement, starting out as pink or red buds and maturing into creamy yellow blooms with a delicate yet voluptuous scent. This sweetly aromatic fragrance can fill an entire garden, making 'Scentsation' a popular choice for sensory landscapes. After the flowers, the plant produces bright red berries, which are attractive to birds and provide a source of food for wildlife. These berries stand out against the foliage and add to the ornamental value of the plant during late summer and into fall. Honeysuckle 'Scentsation' is a versatile climber, often found twining around arbors, trellises, and fences, or allowed to scramble over bushes and hedges. Its twining vines are adept at winding their way upwards, creating a natural and enchanting garden feature. The plant is a perfect choice for a cottage or woodland garden setting, where its charm and sweet perfume can be appreciated up close.
About this plant
- Names
Family
Caprifoliaceae
Synonyms
Scentsation Honeysuckle, Periclymenum Scentsation, Woodbine Scentsation
Common names
Lonicera periclymenum 'Scentsation' (PBR)
- Toxicity
To humans
Honeysuckle is generally considered non-toxic to humans. However, some species of honeysuckle may contain saponins or cyanogenic glycosides, especially in the berries, which can cause mild to moderate symptoms if ingested in significant quantities. Symptoms of honeysuckle poisoning might include stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and in severe cases, rapid heartbeat or respiratory distress. It's important to note that even though Lonicera periclymenum 'Scentsation' is not typically associated with severe toxicity for humans, it is always prudent to avoid ingesting plants that are not explicitly grown for food purposes, as individual sensitivities can vary.
To pets
Honeysuckle is not commonly listed as a toxic plant for pets, including dogs and cats. Nevertheless, some species of honeysuckle could potentially cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested, particularly the berries. Symptoms could include vomiting, diarrhea, and in some cases, lethargy. However, as with humans, Lonicera periclymenum 'Scentsation' is not typically associated with severe toxicity in pets. That being said, it is always a good practice to prevent your pets from eating ornamental plants, as they could contain compounds that may be harmful in larger amounts, and individual animals might have sensitivities or allergic reactions.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
6-10 feet (1.8-3 meters)
Spread
5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 meters)
Plant type
Climber
Hardiness zones
4-9
Native area
Europe
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Attracts Pollinators: Lonicera periclymenum 'Scentsation', commonly known as honeysuckle, attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects to the garden.
- Fragrance: One of the standout features of this cultivar is its intense and sweet fragrance that can perfume an entire garden area, especially noticeable during the evening.
- Long Blooming Period: It offers a long blooming period, generally flowering from late spring to late summer, providing a consistent source of beauty.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The plant has attractive yellow and white flowers that add visual interest to any garden space.
- Versatility: It can be used in various landscape designs, including as a climbing vine on trellises, fences, and walls, or even as a ground cover if not supported.
- Wildlife Habitat: Beyond attracting pollinators, honeysuckle provides shelter and nesting sites for birds.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant, making it suitable for gardens with low water availability.
- Low Maintenance: This honeysuckle requires minimal care once established, needing only occasional pruning to maintain shape and promote vigorous growth.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- Wildlife Attraction: Honeysuckle can be used in gardens to attract beneficial insects such as bees and butterflies, which are important pollinators for many other plant species.
- Natural Fence: The vigorous climbing nature of honeysuckle allows it to be trained up walls, trellis, or fences, providing a natural and aesthetically pleasing barrier.
- Shade Creation: When grown over pergolas or arbors, honeysuckle vines create shaded areas that can be a refuge from the sun during hotter months.
- Erosion Control: Planting honeysuckle on slopes can help stabilize the soil and prevent erosion due to its root system holding the soil in place.
- Privacy Screen: Because of its dense growth, honeysuckle can be used as a living privacy screen to block unwanted views and provide seclusion.
- Food for Wildlife: Honeysuckle berries are a source of food for certain bird species, making the plant useful for birdwatchers looking to attract birds to their garden.
- Scented Garden: The plant's fragrant flowers can be used to create a scented garden area, which can be particularly enjoyable in the evening when the scent is often more pronounced.
- Garden Thematic Displays: Honeysuckle can be used to create a theme in a garden, such as a cottage garden or a wildlife-friendly garden, by grouping with similar or complementary plant species.
- Educational Use: Honeysuckle can be used in educational settings, such as in school gardens, to teach children about plant growth habits, pollination, and the importance of biodiversity.
- Cultural Significance: In some cultures, honeysuckle is used in symbolic plantings or gardens that have cultural, historical, or religious significance.
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: Lonicera periclymenum, commonly known as Honeysuckle, is often associated with loving bonds and affection, embodying the devoted embrace between lovers, as the plant's vines tend to entwine closely.
- Protection: In folklore, Honeysuckle was thought to guard against evil and was sometimes planted near homes for this purpose.
- Happiness: The sweet scent of Honeysuckle is believed to induce feelings of joy and pleasure, making it a symbol of contentment and happiness.
- Generosity: The prolific nature of Honeysuckle's growth and the abundance of its flowers can represent the generosity of spirit and the continuous giving of oneself to others.
- Nostalgia and Fond Memories: Honeysuckle's intense fragrance can evoke memories of past joys and is sometimes symbolic of tender memories and nostalgia.
- Water
The common honeysuckle 'Scentsation' should be watered deeply and thoroughly, ensuring the soil is moist but not waterlogged. During the active growing season in spring and summer, it typically requires watering once a week, but this can vary depending on climate and weather conditions. It's important to check the top inch of soil for dryness before watering again. Generally, a good practice is to provide about 1 gallon of water per week for an established plant, adjusting for rainfall and temperature. Be cautious of overwatering, as it can lead to root rot.
- Light
Honeysuckle 'Scentsation' flourishes best in full sun to partial shade. It should be planted in a spot that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. However, in regions with very hot summers, some afternoon shade can help protect the plant from excessive heat.
- Temperature
Honeysuckle 'Scentsation' is hardy and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, but the ideal temperature range for active growth is between 60°F and 80°F. It can generally withstand winter temperatures down to 20°F without significant damage and can handle summer temperatures up to 90°F as long as it is properly watered and mulched.
- Pruning
Honeysuckle 'Scentsation' should be pruned to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth. Prune right after flowering has finished, typically in late winter or early spring, to remove dead or overgrown branches. Pruning every year or two will rejuvenate the plant and ensure an abundance of flowers. It's also the best time to remove any damaged or diseased growth to maintain plant health.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
Woodbine 'Scentsation' prefers well-draining soil rich in organic matter with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. A mix of garden soil, compost, and a bit of perlite or sand would be ideal to ensure good drainage and fertility. Regular mulching can help maintain soil moisture and temperature.
- Repotting
Woodbine 'Scentsation' doesn’t require frequent repotting; it can be done every 2-3 years. Always repot in the spring and choose a container only one size larger than the current one.
- Humidity & Misting
Woodbine 'Scentsation' is quite adaptable but prefers moderate humidity levels. Being a garden plant, it thrives best outdoors where it can generally receive the natural humidity it needs.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Place Woodbine 'Scentsation' near a sunny window and ensure support for climbing.
Outdoor
Plant in fertile soil, partial to full sun, and provide support for climbing.
Hardiness zone
4-9 USDA
- Life cycle
Lonicera periclymenum 'Scentsation' (PBR), commonly known as 'Scentsation' Honeysuckle, starts its life cycle as a seed, which germinates in favorable conditions of moisture and temperature to produce a small seedling. As it grows, the seedling develops into a vigorous, climbing perennial, using surrounding structures or plants for support. During spring and into summer, it enters a vegetative growth phase, characterized by the development of lush green leaves and the elongation of stems. Following this stage, 'Scentsation' Honeysuckle produces an abundance of fragrant yellow-white flowers from late spring to fall, attracting pollinators and leading to pollination and fertilization phases. These flowers eventually give way to small red berries, signalling the plant's reproductive maturity. In winter or less favorable conditions, it may enter a period of dormancy, with reduced growth and metabolic activity, to conserve energy and resources until the cycle can begin anew with the next growing season.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring to early summer
Propogation: Lonicera periclymenum 'Scentsation' (PBR), commonly known as Woodbine, can be propagated through semi-hardwood cuttings. This method usually takes place in late summer, which is the optimal time to ensure the cuttings have enough time to establish roots before the onset of cold weather. To propagate Woodbine by cuttings, a gardener should select a healthy, semi-hardwood stem that has not flowered this season. The cutting should be about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) long with several leaf nodes. The lower leaves should be removed and the base of the cutting dipped in rooting hormone before placing it in a well-draining potting mix. It's important to maintain consistent moisture and provide indirect sunlight until the cutting forms roots, which can take several weeks. Once rooted, the new plants can be transferred into individual pots or planted outdoors in appropriate growing conditions.