Two honeysuckles ...

roselee z8b S.W. Texas

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Both the Native red honeysuckle and the Winter honeysuckle are having an especially good year ...

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The native red is just starting it's biggest flush although it blooms off and on through the year ...

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The Winter honeysuckle has it's heaviest flowering period in February and goes into March offering nectar to bees and any early hatching butterflies. It has a heavy tropical fragrance that wafts. ...

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Oddly enough I found a freshly emerged pipevine swallowtail in the house a couple of days ago. I guess a caterpillar somehow found it's way inside last fall though I can't imagine how. Did it catch a ride in on me? Or on one of the dogs?

The butterfly struggled so after it was finally caught I didn't restrain it long enough to get a clear photo ...

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The day was fairly warm so I released it outside expecting to see it on the winter honeysuckle like this time but haven't yet ...

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It's heartening to have a little February color thanks to the 'red' and to enjoy the tropical scent of the 'winter' which I have growing in several areas ...

We'd love to hear what's happening in your garden about now.

Featured Answer

Dan H z8b SA, TX

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

Nice! That's great seeing both in the same frame. I've never encountered Winter Honeysuckle. Wondering if it would do good starting out as a potted plant (20 inch or thereabout) in the back yard? (eta - to be planted in the ground later). The camera caught fine details a casual observer might miss in a small white flower, like those subtle streaks of red or purple. The gold squeegee-shaped flower part reminded me of the first time brushing against bright colored lily anthers.

William Welch wrote "Although not a spectacular plant, the form is nice. Its winter flowers and fragrance are welcome, and its hardy character is a real asset... Few plants will thrive in Texas gardens with less attention."

I moved some younger potted plants into the garage this afternoon (should've done it yesterday). I have 3 SunPatiens(R) in the ground that seemed to survive the freezes. This week I saw some tiny new growth on the bare Almond verbena (2 yr old, 5 ft tall in a 20+ inch pot); wondering if I should prune the top half of the plant?

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Comments (7)

maecie_new
8 years ago
Where do I find the post for spring swaps in SA? Austin? Bryan College Station?
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
You can scroll down on the opening page of Gardening in Texas to see the announcement for the San Antonio Spring Swap which is going to be April 14 this year. HERE is the link. If you wish you may put your haves and wants on that thread.

If you want to start a new thread to ask about swaps in those other cities you will see a box at the top of the opening page. It will say: "Example title: 'need help with my kitchen'." Just type your subject on that line and your message in the box.

Hope you can come to the San Antonio swap.
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roselee z8b S.W. Texas
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
That's a good little article that William Welch wrote. I hadn't seen it. Thank you.

Winter honeysuckle will do just fine in a big pot. It's such an easy and rewarding plant in every way. I have not found it to be the least bit invasive as some of the replies on D's garden indicate. Sometimes people see the word 'honeysuckle' and right away think 'Japanese honeysuckle' and reply with that plant in mind.

Sunpatiens? Hmmm, I think I may have been missing something. Will have to give them a try.

I'd wait on pruning the tops of Almond verbena. The scratch test to check for green works better for me on small stems than limbs and trunks. Last year I thought they were dead so cut my tree size Almond verbenas back to the ground. A few limbs that were left because they were supporting some lights sprouted leaves! Oh well ...

I'm eager to see how far back the Mexican olive froze. But even if it did freeze they regrow very quickly, like my severely pruned Almond verbenas did, thank goodness.
Vulture61
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
My winter honeysuckle has performed extremely poorly in my garden for many years. It has been there growing a couple of inches every year. :( The red, the yellow and the white invasive ones are doing fine in my crappy caliche soil.

Omar
roselee z8b S.W. Texas thanked Vulture61
roselee z8b S.W. Texas
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Omar, your soil conditions must be as bad as you say. I didn't believe you before!

Or -- maybe it's too good for them. I've planted them as hedges along the fence line where the soil is so rocky and hard I can hardly dig a hole and they thrive. As they say; 'Go figure'.
Vulture61
8 years ago
Yes, it is pretty bad. I don't know. "Go figure" is pretty accurate.

Omar
roselee z8b S.W. Texas thanked Vulture61