Notice

Colin Mills, compiler of the Hortus Camdenensis, died in late November 2012 after a short illness. As he always considered the Hortus his legacy, it is his family's intention to keep the site running in perpetuity. It will not, however, be updated in the near future.

Lonicera japonica Thunb. var. repens (Sieb.) Rehd.

See Lonicera japonica Thunb. for a description.  Repens is a distinct variety with leaves and shoots flushed purple on the outside and very fragrant.  [RHSD, Hilliers’]. 

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘[Lonicera flexuosa] A native of China, lately introduced: it is an elegant climber for a greenhouse or conservatory, which it will perfume with its delicious and peculiar fragrance, during the flowering season.’  [LBC no.1037/1826].  ‘In many points of its general habit an anomaly not only among our European species, but even compared with the only Chinese one yet known in our gardens, viz. Lonicera japonica.  The nature of the fragrance is entirely distinct from any European plant, and resembles that peculiar to tropical plants.  Quite new to our collections, where it has been lately introduced by Mr. Tate, of the Sloane Square Nursery.’  [BR f.712/1823].  According to both Johnson’s and Paxton’s Dictionary Lonicera flexuosa was introduced to Britain in 1806.  This appears too early and is probably a confusion with the type L. japonica.

History at Camden Park

Listed in all published catalogues [T.646/1843].

Notes

Published Jul 08, 2009 - 04:38 PM | Last updated Jul 16, 2010 - 01:59 PM

Figured are ovate leaves and axillary pairs of tubular, purple-flushed, white flowers. Loddiges Botanical Cabinet no.1037, 1826.

Lonicera japonica var. repens (Sieb.) Rehd. | LBC no.1037/1826 | RBGS

Family Caprifoliaceae
Category
Region of origin

Eastern Asia

Synonyms
  • Lonicera flexuosa Thunb.
  • Lonicera nigra Thunb.
  • Lonicera brachypoda DC.
Common Name

Chinese honeysuckle

Name in the Camden Park Record

Lonicera flexuosa - Chinese Honeysuckle 

Confidence level high