Thank you all so much for your replies they are appreciated!
Now that I have been out and had another look I can confirm that it is indeed a Winter Honeysuckle Plan (Lonicera fragrantissima)
It is actually one planted in my neighbours garden but hans over into ours and is great for early pollinators.
I will ave to read up about propagation and then see if I can blag some cuttings as this is a great shrub and I reckon would be really nice grown in my loose wildlife hedge, especially in a group of three or so!
Pick a couple of twigs for a small vase, they will perfume the house beautifully - makes the keeping of an otherwise rather dull shrub worth its space.
I don't see it as a dull shrub when it is so vital to early emerging pollinators at this time of the year, I call it a lifeline and the absolute reason to grow it. The perfume is certainly an added bonus though
I have this shrub and love it. After the flowers come little red hearts which are so pretty. Needs little attention but doesn't mind a good short back and sides. It just thickens up for birds to hide in and rewards you next winter with even more blooms. The sort of shrub you could grow a summer flowering climber through as it will take the weight and will offer more interest in summer.
Indeed not dull now, & later I grow clematis on mine - but probably if its wasn't such a wonderful early shrub for its flowers, nectar etc., I probably would overlook it regarding it's summer appearance. I've not had anyone nest in mine, but several birds do so in other parts of the garden, so I must not be greedy. Maybe a bit near the feeders for happy nesting.
I don't see it as a dull shrub when it is so vital to early emerging pollinators at this time of the year, I call it a lifeline and the absolute reason to grow it. The perfume is certainly an added bonus though
But there's so many other things that will do the same job so don't let that be the deciding factor. Get it if you want it but don't exclude other choices. A very nice choice though. I have fill my garden with Galanthus nivalis and I even enjoy lesser celandine. I know most people would shun it but it's welcome in my garden. Lots of things that do the same job.
Thank you for posting this. My bees have been venturing out of their hives, and when I look round I can't help thinking there's not much for them to come out for. Was considering getting a mahonia, but this sounds like a great idea too.
Posts
Yes please,Dove. Any toast to go with it? I've got a nice jar of my home made blackcurant jam.
Hello All,
Thank you all so much for your replies they are appreciated!
Now that I have been out and had another look I can confirm that it is indeed a Winter Honeysuckle Plan (Lonicera fragrantissima)
It is actually one planted in my neighbours garden but hans over into ours and is great for early pollinators.
I will ave to read up about propagation and then see if I can blag some cuttings as this is a great shrub and I reckon would be really nice grown in my loose wildlife hedge, especially in a group of three or so!
Thanks
Higgy
It's on my 'must have' list - but the list is very large and the garden is not, although I keep planning more beds
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Pick a couple of twigs for a small vase, they will perfume the house beautifully - makes the keeping of an otherwise rather dull shrub worth its space.
I don't see it as a dull shrub when it is so vital to early emerging pollinators at this time of the year, I call it a lifeline and the absolute reason to grow it. The perfume is certainly an added bonus though
I have this shrub and love it. After the flowers come little red hearts which are so pretty. Needs little attention but doesn't mind a good short back and sides. It just thickens up for birds to hide in and rewards you next winter with even more blooms. The sort of shrub you could grow a summer flowering climber through as it will take the weight and will offer more interest in summer.
Indeed not dull now, & later I grow clematis on mine - but probably if its wasn't such a wonderful early shrub for its flowers, nectar etc., I probably would overlook it regarding it's summer appearance. I've not had anyone nest in mine, but several birds do so in other parts of the garden, so I must not be greedy. Maybe a bit near the feeders for happy nesting.
How do you unquote?
Thank you for posting this. My bees have been venturing out of their hives, and when I look round I can't help thinking there's not much for them to come out for. Was considering getting a mahonia, but this sounds like a great idea too.