Lonicera nitida Trough

Description

Shrubby Honeysuckle (Lonicera nitida)

Lonicera nitida trough hedging – a small-leaved evergreen shrub that serves as an excellent choice for low to medium-height hedges. Known for its dense foliage, this plant is ideal for creating privacy screens and adding structure to garden borders.

Shrubby Honeysuckle is a fast-growing shrub that responds well to regular trimming, making it easy to maintain at a height of around 60 cm for a low, formal parterre-style hedge. If allowed to grow taller, up to 150 cm, it is best trimmed with a taper to ensure light reaches the base, preventing it from becoming bare.

Shrubby Honeysuckle has gained popularity as an alternative to Common Box (Buxus sempervirens) due to its small leaves and ability to form sharp-edged, formal hedges when regularly trimmed. It is highly adaptable, thriving in most soil types and capable of tolerating light shade. Unlike its climbing relatives, Shrubby Honeysuckle does not produce large, fragrant flowers; instead, if left untrimmed, it bears non descript flowers followed by black berries.

Introduced to the United Kingdom in 1908 by Ernest Wilson from Western China, Lonicera nitida is an easy-to-grow hedging plant that delivers reliable results in a variety of garden settings.