A honeysuckle is a climbing vine or shrub known for its incredibly sweet-smelling flowers. The plant gets its name from the small drop of nectar hidden at the base of each flower: if you carefully pull the flower apart, you can taste a tiny bit of honey-like sweetness. Many children discover this trick on their own, gently pulling honeysuckle blossoms to taste that single drop of natural sugar.

Honeysuckle flowers are usually white, yellow, or pink, and they often bloom in late spring and early summer. The vines grow quickly and can cover fences, walls, or trees, releasing their powerful fragrance especially at dusk and during the night. That sweet smell attracts moths and hummingbirds, which pollinate the flowers while feeding on the nectar.

In many neighborhoods, honeysuckle grows wild along roadsides and in backyards. Its scent can be so strong that you'll smell it before you see it, especially on warm evenings. Some people love the nostalgic smell of honeysuckle because it reminds them of summer afternoons from their childhood. Others find it overwhelming when it grows too thick. The plant is tough and hardy: once honeysuckle takes root somewhere, it's difficult to remove.