One of our shrubby honeysuckles, Lonicera maackii is in full flower in the Lonicera collection.
This vigorous, deciduous shrub can grow to 5m in height and spread. The oval-lanceolate leaves are arranged in a distichous pattern i.e. in opposite pairs, and the flowers emerge in pairs on the upper side of the branchlets. The emerging two-lipped flowers are initially pure white, but fade with age to a soft yellow. Lonicera maackii originates from China and Korea, and is one of approximately 180 species of northern hemisphere shrubs and climbers. The Botanic Garden holds a National Collection of shrubby Lonicera, which provide a succession of flower and fruit throughout the year.