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 flava Sims

Half hardy, bushy, sometimes climbing, deciduous shrub with broadly elliptic leaves, to 8cm long, and terminal, spreading whorls of fragrant, yellow, later orange flowers, followed by red fruit, in spring and summer.  To 2.5m.  [RHSD, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘This was first discovered in Carolina about the year 1808, by Mr. Frazer, who brought it to England shortly after.  It has flowered abundantly with us in the spring, planted out and trained to the back wall of a greenhouse, for which purpose it is well adapted, being a very beautiful climber.’  [LBC no.338, 1819]. ‘This valuable acquisition to our gardens, supposed to be perfectly hardy, was first discovered by Mr. Fraser, in company with his son John, in the summer of the year 1808, growing luxuriantly upon the exposed and rocky summit of the Paris mountain, in South-Carolina.  These indefatigable travellers could not find it in any other situation, during their extended researches in these parts.  It was introduced by them this year [1810], and is growing with great luxuriance in their nursery, in Sloane-Square; but as yet has produced only the one flower from which our drawing was taken in June last.’  [BM t.1318/1810].

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.645/1857] but certainly grown by 1853 as plants were sent to the Sydney Botanic Garden in that year.  [RBGS AB].

Notes

Published Jul 08, 2009 - 03:40 PM | Last updated Jul 16, 2010 - 02:00 PM

Shown are elliptic leaves and terminal, spreading whorls of  yellow flowers.  Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.1318, 1810.

Lonicera flava Sims | BM t.1318/1810 | BHL

Family Caprifoliaceae
Category
Region of origin

South east USA

Synonyms
  • Caprifolium flavum Ell.
Common Name
Name in the Camden Park Record

Lonicera flava 

Confidence level high