Lonicera japonica ,Honeysuckle
Driving around at the moment, the sweetly scented Honeysuckle is in flower in so many places its spread seems to be almost unstoppable. This native of Japan and China has become a serious and noxious weed not only here but in many other parts of the world as well. In history, it has romantic and sentimental associations. The most charming story is from China in the book Two Years in the Forbidden City (1911) by Princess Der Ling when she describes the Dowager Empress placing honeysuckle flowers in her tea using her gold chopsticks, with the resulting beverage acquiring a delicious flavour. Something to try perhaps as there is no shortage of flowers.
I always associate honeysuckle with the song Honeysuckle Rose by the 1930's jazz great Fats Waller (1904-1943) His sense of humour is something special.
Fats Waller at the piano
That's new to me- I had always thought that the honeysuckle is a native English flower, because the British cottage gardens usually have it. I drink the Chinese Jasmine tree whenever I am exhausted.I'd like to try honeysuckle tea.
ReplyDeleteCheers.
Honeysuckle brings back memories of my grandparent's farm. During the early summer it was growing all over the fences and attracting lots of bees. The honey they made was so sweet and delicious, too!
ReplyDeleteThere is no other like Fats Waller ~ truly one of the greats!