Lonicera nitida Hedge Plants Description
Lonicera nitida, often referred to as shrubby or evergreen honeysuckle, is a fast-growing, hardy evergreen hedge. It is a popular choice of hedge plant for a medium height evergreen hedge (up to about 3m). Its densely packed leaves, borne on long stems are tiny, so it forms a very dense hedge. Lonicera nitida is very easy to trim and has a high tolerance of clipping, which makes it ideal as a neat, formal hedge. In spring, it sometimes produces small, scented off-white flowers with purple-blue berries developing in the autumn, particularly followng a good summer. Lonicera nitida is a very common hedging plant despite few people knowing its name - we hope our photograph helps to make it recognisable. It can also be referred to as Box Honeysuckle or Wilson's Honeysuckle.
Due to its fast growth rate, tiny leaves on supple stems and ease of trimming, Lonicera nitida is actuallly a very good plant for creating topiary shapes. However for general hedge trimming, it is best trimmed twice yearly, once in early summer at the height of its growing phase and then in autumn as a final trim for the year to keep it looking tip-top through winter.
Lonicera nitida is suitable for sunny or partially shaded positions even tolerating deeper shade on occasion. It will grow well in most soil types except overly wet soils, but doesn't do well in very windy sites or exposed seaside gardens. Don't let challenging planting conditions deter your gardening goals though; we supply a huge range of hedging plants for shade and hedging for exposed sites. View also our entire range of evergreen hedging for additional options that provide year-round interest.
Lonicera (Lonicera nitida) is a popular substitute for Box hedging plants for its ability to be trimmed into a variety of shapes and its resistance to most diseases including the blight that can affect Box. We have a section dedicated to Box Hedging Alternatives to view our suggested hedging plants.
Cell grown, pot grown and instant hedging plants are available all year round. Bare roots are only available from November to late April/early May.
The wonderful green foliage of this species enhance and offset colourful aspects of other plants when planted together. See also our extensive range of hedging with colourful foliagefor ideas on companion planting for lovely Lonicera.
Recommended planting densities for pot grown plants are shown but this is very much a matter of choice and you can increase or reduce the density depending on your level of patience. Cell grown plants are normally planted at 4 per metre in a single row or 6 per metre in a double staggered row.
For more information on planting distances please see our
planting density advice section.
Lonicera nitida (Box Honeysuckle) grows quickly, however it is exceptionally easy to clip and will stand being clipped fairly frequently without detriment to the plant. If you wish to keep your hedge to a desired shape and height, you will need to maintain its shape with regular clipping through the growing season.
If left to grow, the plant will develop long shoots which will tend to arch and then flop fairly quickly as they gain height and length. However, with its small leaved habit and delicate stems, trimming back even from this point is not a major task.
Lonicera nitida is a fantastic option for topiary with its dense, small leaved habit and is remarkably easy to trim into shapes. The advantage of using Lonicera nitida for topiary as opposed to Box for example, is that if you overtrim your topary shape, it won't take long to grow back, at which point you can perfect your look! Its speed of growth also allows for larger shapes to be developed more quickly for extra wow factor in your garden.
Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:
| Packaging Type | Standard Delivery Charge | Minimum Order Values (incl VAT) for FREE Delivery |
|---|
| Standard Boxes (Bare roots up to 1.2m tall and pots up to and incl. 7.5L) | £7.99 delivery charge (orders up to £100 incl VAT) | Orders of £100 and over - FREE |
| Tall Boxes (Bare roots 1.2m and over) | £14.99 delivery charge (orders up to £100 incl VAT) | Orders of £100 and over - FREE |
| Pallets (Root balls, large pots (10L+), trees etc) | £60.00 delivery charge (orders up to £350 incl VAT) | Orders of £350 and over - FREE |
| Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | £450.00 delivery charge (orders up to £1500 incl VAT) | Orders of £1500 and over - FREE |
There are some exceptions to the standard delivery pricing structure, which relate to deliveries to more remote areas, overseas, or extremely tall or large plants requiring specialist delivery - for more information see the Delivery Information Page. (Please note that due to new Brexit rules, we are currently unable to export to both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.).
Delivery Time - Please note that delivery times are currently 3-7 days excluding bank holidays. *Some troughs and trees may take up to 14 days delivery. We are working through existing orders as quickly as possible to deliver new orders within this timescale.
It's Convenient - no need to wait in all day to sign, we don't need a signature (the odd, larger order may require a signature but will be delivered at a mutually agreeable time).
It's Tried & Tested - we use only couriers who have shown consistency in their efficiency & care.
* Please note that delivery costs are based on the final order amount in your cart after any discounts have been applied.
Hedges Direct 12 Month Plant Guarantee
Our plants are guaranteed for 12 months after delivery subject to specific criteria. Visit our Hedges Direct Plant Guarantee Page for full details.
Nominated Day Delivery
Choose a delivery day that suits you with our new Nominated Day Delivery option at checkout. Whilst our standard no signature delivery means you don't need to take time away from other committments to receive your order, we understand that there are times our customers want to make sure they are present to accept delivery, either to plant straight away or to store somewhere safe and out of the way until you're ready to plant.
For an additional fee, you can make sure that your order arrives on the exact day you want it. Please note that this is additional charge to all qualifying orders, including those above the free delivery threshold for Standard Delivery.
Our Nominated Day Delivery is available year-round on the weekdays Tuesdays to Fridays, excluding the day after any bank holiday.
Some products are sent direct from our suppliers and as such are not available for Nominated Day Delivery. These include:- Cell Grown Hedging Plants- Instant Trough Grown Hedging Plants- Instant Hedging Screens- Premium Root Balls (250cm and above in height)- Turf
To book your Nominated Day Delivery for farther ahead than the 3 week window available online, please contact our Sales & Advice team to discuss your options.
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