Lonicera japonica Seeds | Japanese Honeysuckle
LATIN NAME: Lonicera japonica
COMMON NAME: Japanese Honeysuckle, Jin Yin Hua, Gold-and-Silver Honeysuckle
Plant Profile
A distinctive member of its genus, Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is a twining, semi-evergreen climber in the honeysuckle family, native to warm thickets of eastern Asia, while it is grown for its fragrance. The Japanese honeysuckle is a vigorous and fragrant climber of warm thickets, and its two-coloured flowers have made it one of the best loved and most grown of the climbers. At maturity it stands about Five metres. In combination, these characteristics make a persuasive case for growing it.
Science & Biotechnology
Lonicera japonica sits in the honeysuckle family, a group that keeps botanists, horticulturists and plant breeders busy with questions of classification, adaptation and ornamental potential. The Japanese honeysuckle has a genuine and distinguished place in both pharmacological and ecological research. Continuing work by breeders and collectors keeps good seed of this species moving through the trade.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Japanese Honeysuckle earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. Ecologically, the Japanese honeysuckle is a generous climber of the woodlands. Its economic value is real and historic. For a grower, the Japanese honeysuckle is an easy and vigorous climber, and for a gardener it brings sweetly fragrant, white to yellow flowers through the summer. Mature plants need little attention in a well-chosen position.
Honeysuckle flower, Jin Yin Hua, is one of the most important Chinese heat-clearing herbs, a first-line folk remedy for colds and sore throats with chlorogenic acid as its quality marker; the flowers scent summer gardens and teas alike.
Growing from Seed
Japanese Honeysuckle is one of those generous plants that come along well from seed. Use a loose, well-drained seed compost, sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly, and keep everything evenly moist in bright light. Shift the seedlings into small pots as soon as they can be handled, and give them bright light until planting-out time.
Our Take
Japanese Honeysuckle repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
Related Reading
If Japanese Honeysuckle appeals to you, these related plants are worth a look: