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Box Leaf Honeysuckle Lonicera pileata

Previously known as:

  • Lonicera ligustrina var. pileata
Phonetic Spelling
luh-NISS-ur-uh pill-ee-AY-tu
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

This honeysuckle from China is a low growing evergreen to a semi-evergreen shrub that is useful for growing on banks or slopes. Lonicera pileata has low horizontal branches that will root-in and slowly spread over time, making it a good choice as a ground cover. This box-leaf honeysuckle is salt tolerant and does well in seashore plantings. It is drought tolerant once established if grown in shade but needs regular watering if grown in sunny areas. The small fragrant flowers and berries that follow are tucked away beneath the foliage. It can easily be shaped by pruning, but keep in mind that it will flower on old growth.The berries are mildly toxic

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Moss Green'
  • 'Royal Carpet'
'Moss Green', 'Royal Carpet'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#spring flowers#winter interest#slopes#fall interest#mass planting#stream banks#moist soil#salt spray tolerant#well-drained soil#poisonous fruits#deer resistant#groundcover#fruits fall#border planting#black fruits#naturalized area#evergreen groundcover#purple fruits#compact habit#partial shade tolerant#tiny leaves#hedge
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Moss Green'
  • 'Royal Carpet'
'Moss Green', 'Royal Carpet'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#drought tolerant#yellow flowers#spring flowers#winter interest#slopes#fall interest#mass planting#stream banks#moist soil#salt spray tolerant#well-drained soil#poisonous fruits#deer resistant#groundcover#fruits fall#border planting#black fruits#naturalized area#evergreen groundcover#purple fruits#compact habit#partial shade tolerant#tiny leaves#hedge
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Lonicera
    Species:
    pileata
    Family:
    Caprifoliaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Layering
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    China
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Erect
    Horizontal
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    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
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Purple/Lavender
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    translucent purplish to black cap-shaped fruit 6 mm
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spike
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    Tiny .5" yellowish-white flowers in pairs in spring to early summer
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Glossy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    0.5"- 1" lustrous dark green leaves that are pale green underneath. tapered at the base.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Erosion
    Salt
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Children
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Digestive tract problems in children (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea)
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Saponins
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Fruits