Native Plant Alternatives to Lonicera fragrantissima (Sweetest Honeysuckle)

Lonicera fragrantissima, also known as winter honeysuckle or sweet breath of spring, is considered invasive in many parts of the United States. Originally from China, this plant was introduced to the U.S. in the mid-1800s as an ornamental plant due to its fragrant, early spring flowers.

Sweetest Honeysuckle is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

Despite its pleasing characteristics, Lonicera fragrantissima can cause significant environmental damage. It spreads rapidly and forms dense thickets that can displace native plants and disrupt ecosystems. The shrub is difficult to control because it sprouts vigorously from the base and produces a large quantity of berries that birds distribute, facilitating its spread.

Control of Lonicera fragrantissima often involves a combination of mechanical removal (cutting, mowing, pulling) and chemical treatment.

According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.