h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Do you have one of these in your garden? It looks like a winner for attracting butterflies and birds. Ours have a very fragrant flower that is very pleasant to smell in summertime. Here in NC we just have the white variety growing wild.

Hi Elektra! Yes, I have one in my garden and it's a winner all right. Unfortunately it being the middle of winter right now, it's standing without any leaves or flowers. I wanted to scan a leaf in for the article but could only find some withered ones. I reckon the honeysuckles you have over there would be true honeysuckles!

We also have an orange flower called trumpet vine which might be a close relative of your cape honeysuckle. It is very attractive to bees and butterflies as well.

Here is a picture of it:

http://k.b5z.net/i/u/2179088/i/plantpics/Campsis_radicans.jpg

You're right, Elektra, that is indeed a close relative to *our* honeysuckle! And it's a really beautiful flowering vine, too!

I thought they looked somewhat similar, but I certainly am no botanist.