Lonicera × purpusii | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Dipsacales |
Family: | Caprifoliaceae |
Genus: | Lonicera |
Species: | L. × purpusii
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Binomial name | |
Lonicera × purpusii
Rehder (1923)
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Lonicera × purpusii, the Purpus honeysuckle, is a hybrid species of flowering plant in the family Caprifoliaceae. It originated as a cross of garden origin between two Chinese species, L. fragrantissima and L. standishii. [1]
Growing to 2.5 m (8.2 ft) tall and broad, it is a somewhat untidy shrub with ovate leaves and small paired cream/yellow flowers in winter. The flowers are strongly fragrant with the typical honeysuckle scent. [2] It is extremely hardy, tolerating temperatures down to −20 °C (−4 °F) and a wide range of conditions. In a favourable environment it may be evergreen but is otherwise deciduous. In the latter case, the flowers are borne on the bare branches. [2]
The widely grown cultivar 'Winter Beauty' is a recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [3] It flowers best in full sun. [4]