Nature on our doorsteps: Scented Honeysuckle
By Rosaleen Dwyer
Honeysuckle is a scrambling plant that twines itself over hedgerows and shrubs. It is also known as Woodbine.
In June and July, it produces whorls of trumpet-shaped flowers at the end of its trailing stems. These flowers are coloured yellow and cream, tinged with pink and orange.
The Common Carder Bumblebee can reach deep into Honeysuckle's trumpet-shaped flowers
Honeysuckle flowers have a heady sweet scent. They are also very rich in nectar, a fact that has given the plant its name.
While this plentiful supply of food makes Honeysuckle very attractive to bees, not all bees can access the sugary prize because it is located deep inside the trumpet of the flower.
Only bees with very long tongues, like the ginger-back Common Carder Bee, can reach all the way into the source of the nectar.
Moths can also access Honeysuckle’s nectar, as they have long tongues which they keep curled up underneath their heads when they are not feeding.
The spectacular Elephant Hawkmoth is one of Honeysuckle’s night time visitors
The very striking pink and green Elephant Hawkmoth is a regular visitor to Honeysuckle flowers.
As Honeysuckle is pollinated by both bumblebees and by moths, its flowers emit their heavenly scent late in the evening when moths emerge and also in the early morning when bumble bees are most active.
For us, the scent is particularly delightful on a still, warm, summer’s evening when the perfume hangs in the air as we pass by.
