Flowers
It's Back!
A familiar summer fragrance returns to the backyard at House 173 and brings a little nostalgia with it.
Some plants become part of the identity of a house. Not in a grand estate-garden sort of way, but in the quiet, lived-in way where you stop noticing them because they simply belong there. Honeysuckle was one of those plants here at 173.
For years we had a honeysuckle climbing along the side of the oriel. In summer it softened the lines of the house, and every now and then the breeze carried that unmistakable sweet smell through the yard.
And then one day it was gone.
I still remember the evening we noticed it. We were sitting down to dinner when I looked outside and asked, “What’s wrong with the honeysuckle?” Practically overnight it looked tired and gray. Within a short time, it was dead.
A couple years later we tried again with another honeysuckle. That one didn’t make it either. Gardening has a way of humbling you like that.
But apparently we still believe in honeysuckle.
So this week we brought home a new one.
The plan is to plant it next to the back gate where it can grow up and over the trellis. Once everything fills in during summer, that area already feels a little secret-garden-ish, and I can picture the vine softening the wood and weaving across the top.
Digging
Even small planting projects become productions. First there’s the plant itself. Then there's the digging. Sometimes the digging can take a bit, but this time if was pretty easy.
Anyway, first, we took out a bed of day lilies and yellow bearded irises.
Thankfully, one of our neighbors is always interested in flowers we're removing, which happens on occasion. Always happy to give them away rather than tossing them out.
Then it was time to just start digging, the post-hole digger, which was one of the best investments made here at 173 a couple decades ago, made pretty quick work of it!
Then we mixed in some organic fertilizer because the soil could always be “a little better..."
And just like that... she was in the ground, ready to start growing!
Oh... And This is What We Got!
The honeysuckle itself was reasonably priced, about $43, but gardening has a way of making the supporting cast cost more than the starring role.
There’s always optimism in planting something new. You stand there dirty and tired while imagining what the space might look like three or four summers from now.
The new arrival is an Alabama Crimson Honeysuckle Vine, technically Lonicera sempervirens ‘Alabama Crimson’. It’s a native cultivar, which appealed to us because over the years we’ve tried to make the yard at 173 a little friendlier to birds, bees and pollinators whenever possible.
The bright crimson trumpet-shaped flowers are favorites of hummingbirds and butterflies, which alone makes it worth trying again.
A Little Honeysuckle History
Historically speaking, honeysuckle has been around gardens for centuries. The name comes from the sweet nectar hidden inside the blossoms, something generations of kids sampled by pulling the flowers apart for a tiny drop of sweetness. European varieties were often planted near cottages and gates, and in Victorian flower language honeysuckle symbolized affection and devotion.
Of course, not all honeysuckles have the best reputation these days. Some imported varieties became invasive in parts of the United States, which is one reason native coral honeysuckles like this Alabama Crimson variety have become more popular.
Nostalgic... Fits Right In
One thing I’ve always liked about honeysuckle is that it feels slightly old-fashioned. It belongs in the same category as lilacs, peonies and climbing roses; plants tied to memory and old neighborhoods.
That feeling comes up a lot around here at 173.
Over the years I’ve written about backyard paths, old garden projects and the strange way a yard slowly becomes connected to memory itself. None of it was professionally landscaped. Most of it happened one small project at a time with leftover materials, modest budgets and spur-of-the-moment ideas. Somehow those are the projects that end up meaning the most.
HoneysuckleThe smell hit me before the memory did.Wild honeysuckle growing beside a roadside ditch,sweet in the evening heat,and suddenly I was a boy again...barefoot behind Grandma’s house,knees dirty from gravel,standing in that narrow alleywhere the fence leaned crookedunder all those vines.GBS, 2017 (excerpt)
So now the new honeysuckle joins the story.
Right now it’s still small enough it was fitting comfortably in its nursery pot, but hopefully, in a few years, it’ll be climbing and wandering and making itself look like it was always meant to be there.
Here’s hoping this one decides to stay awhile.
Hey, thanks for stopping by - see ya' next time!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is honeysuckle a perennial plant?
Yes. Most honeysuckle varieties are perennial vines or shrubs that return year after year and can become long-lived garden plants.
Does honeysuckle attract hummingbirds?
Yes. Honeysuckle is well known for attracting hummingbirds, butterflies, and pollinators because of its fragrant nectar-rich flowers.
Where does honeysuckle grow best?
Honeysuckle generally grows best in full sun to partial shade with well-draining soil and some support for climbing varieties.
Is honeysuckle invasive?
Some honeysuckle varieties can become invasive depending on the region. Native or well-behaved ornamental varieties are often better choices for home gardens.
How fast does honeysuckle grow?
Many honeysuckle vines grow quickly once established, often adding several feet of growth in a single season under good conditions.
Can honeysuckle survive cold winters?
Yes. Many honeysuckle varieties are cold hardy and survive northern winters, returning again in spring.
What does honeysuckle smell like?
Honeysuckle flowers are known for their sweet, rich fragrance, especially during warm evenings in late spring and summer.
Is honeysuckle good for fences and trellises?
Yes. Climbing honeysuckle varieties are popular for fences, arbors, and trellises because they provide greenery, flowers, and seasonal privacy.
Keywords:
honeysuckle, hummingbird plants, cottage garden plants, fragrant flowering vines, old house garden, backyard garden ideas, fence climbing plants