Lonicera nitida 15/20cm Cell grown Shrubby Honeysuckle

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.