Lonicera thibetica Bur. & Franch.

A deciduous shrub of low, spreading habit when young, forming in the adult state a dense rounded mass of intertwined branches 6 ft high and 10 ft or more through; young shoots purplish, downy, the bark peeling in thin strips the second year. Leaves often in threes, narrowly oblong, rounded at the base, pointed, 1⁄3 to 1 in. long, 1⁄8 to 1⁄3 in. wide, dark glossy green and glabrous above, covered with a dense white felt beneath; stalk 1⁄12 in. or less in length. Flowers produced in pairs during May and June from the leaf-axils of the young shoots, often six flowers at each joint, fragrant, 1⁄3 in. across, lilac-coloured and perfumed like lilac. Corolla-tube 1⁄2 in. long, downy within and without; lobes equal, roundish ovate. Calyx-lobes awl-shaped, downy, as long as the style. Berries red, oblong, 1⁄4 in. long.

Native of W. China; introduced in 1897. A very pretty and distinct honeysuckle, allied to L. rupicola, but easily distinguished by the white-felted undersurface of the leaves, and deeper coloured smaller flowers.

L. syringantha is another close ally, but has leaves quite glabrous beneath and the corolla glabrous on the outside.