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Lonicera ligustrina var. yunnanensis

Previously known as:

  • Lonicera nitida
  • Lonicera pileata var. yunannensis
Phonetic Spelling
loh-NIS-er-a lig-US-tree-nuh yoo-nan-EN-sis
Description

Boxleaf Honeysuckle is a shrub from China primarily grown for its attractive foliage that grows with graceful arching branches. The stems are stacked on top of each other giving it a haystack look. It can also be pruned as topiary but it grows rather quickly once pruned and must be trimmed regularly to maintain desired shape and size. When it is grown as a hedge, it should be trimmed twice during summer.

The Boxleaf Honeysuckle may be evergreen or semi-evergreen in the southern parts of its range, with leaves turning bronze or plum in the winter. It is salt and drought tolerant once established. It can be grown in both sun and shade but should be protected from the hot afternoon sun in warmer regions to prevent foliage burn.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Baggesen's Gold'
    New growth leaves are golden
  • 'Lemon Beauty'
    Variegated, small leaves with cream-yellow margins
  • 'Maygreen'
  • 'Red Tips'
    New growth leaves are burgundy colored
  • 'Silver Beauty'
    Silver leaf margins
  • 'Tidy Tips'
'Baggesen's Gold', 'Lemon Beauty', 'Maygreen', 'Red Tips', 'Silver Beauty', 'Tidy Tips'
Tags:
#arching#evergreen#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#shrub#semi-evergreen#deciduous shrub#salt tolerant#winter interest#slopes#rabbit resistant#air pollution tolerant#topiary#showy fruits#stream banks#fast growing#salt spray tolerant#well-drained soil#spreading#dappled sunlight#deer resistant#evergreen shrub#partial shade tolerant#dense growth#hedge#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Baggesen's Gold'
    New growth leaves are golden
  • 'Lemon Beauty'
    Variegated, small leaves with cream-yellow margins
  • 'Maygreen'
  • 'Red Tips'
    New growth leaves are burgundy colored
  • 'Silver Beauty'
    Silver leaf margins
  • 'Tidy Tips'
'Baggesen's Gold', 'Lemon Beauty', 'Maygreen', 'Red Tips', 'Silver Beauty', 'Tidy Tips'
Tags:
#arching#evergreen#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#shrub#semi-evergreen#deciduous shrub#salt tolerant#winter interest#slopes#rabbit resistant#air pollution tolerant#topiary#showy fruits#stream banks#fast growing#salt spray tolerant#well-drained soil#spreading#dappled sunlight#deer resistant#evergreen shrub#partial shade tolerant#dense growth#hedge#woodland
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lonicera
    Species:
    ligustrina var. yunnanensis
    Family:
    Caprifoliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Layering
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Yunnan Province, China
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds are attracted to the berries.
    Play Value:
    Fragrance
    Screening
    Wildlife Food Source
    Dimensions:
    Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Dense
    Erect
    Horizontal
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    0.2 in. bluish-purple/black fruit in late summer
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Tubular
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    0.5 in. long creamy white flowers in pairs appear in spring
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Orbicular
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Glossy dark green leaves are 0.2 to 0.6 in. long and wide. May be smooth or sparsely hairy on midvein
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Cottage Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Pollution
    Rabbits
    Salt