Hedge Honeysuckle Lonicera ligustrina var. yunnanensis

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. When pruning, keep in mind that the plant flowers on old growth.

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.