Lonicera periclymenum Graham thomas

The Lonicera periclymenum 'Graham Thomas' is a vigorous variety of woodbine, whose summer flowering is remarkably fragrant. This bushy and climbing plant produces cream-white tubular flowers that turn yellow as the hours pass, gathered in large inflorescences. They bloom abundantly from June to August, exhaling a sweet scent made of green and fresh notes associated with floral and sweet notes. Its foliage, medium green, is deciduous in winter. A very hardy plant for partial shade, it thrives in any soil that is not too dry to moist, in the ground or even in a large pot on the balcony or terrace.

The woodbine is a plant of the caprifoliaceae family, mainly native to central Europe, spreading as far as Sweden in the north and North Africa in the south. In France, it is present throughout almost the entire territory, but rare in Mediterranean regions. It is a common guest in our hedges and woods, famous for its fragrance, which shows a preference for siliceous soils. Through hybridization, it has produced numerous descendants, including the vigorous cultivar 'Graham Thomas'. This cultivar produces voluble stems, which lignify over time and bear long deciduous leaves, 3 to 5cm (1 to 2in) long, opposite, ovate, lanceolate, and medium green. From June-July to August-September, it blooms abundantly, producing numerous tubular flowers, 3cm (1in) long, that diffuse a powerful and pleasant characteristic fragrance. They have two large colored lips and visible stamens. They are gathered in large terminal heads, 10 to 12cm (4 to 5in) wide, with long peduncles. In autumn, they give way to ovoid red berries.

With its height of 3 to 4m (10 to 13ft), the Lonicera periclymenum Graham Thomas is ideal as a wall cover, to dress a fence, a mesh, a trellis, a pergola, or even a large bush. It will find its place in a scented garden, for example in a countryside hedge along with false jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides), common jasmine, buddleias, and mock orange to stagger scents and flowering. In a pot on a terrace, you will enjoy its fragrance even more! Honeysuckles provide good shelter and food for many birds, small mammals, and insects (butterflies and caterpillars).