Lonicera nitida
Wilson's honeysuckle
A dense, evergreen shrub, growing to 3.5m tall and 3m wide, with small, ovate, glossy dark-green leaves on arching branches. Tiny cream flowers in spring are followed, in autumn, by sparse, glossy, blue-purple berries
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Cream | Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | Purple | ||
| Autumn | Green | Purple | ||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Potentially harmful
- Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Fruit are ornamental - not to be eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
- Genus
Lonicera can be deciduous and evergreen shrubs, or climbers with twining stems. The tubular or two-lipped flowers, often very fragrant, are followed by red or black berries
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- China
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. See honeysuckle (shrubby) cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings from late spring to late summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Gravel garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Low Maintenance
- Garden edging
- Hedging and screens
Pruning
If grown as hedging or for topiary, clip any time from spring to autumn; otherwise Pruning group 2
Pests
May be susceptible to honeysuckle aphids, Thrips and glasshouse whitefly
Diseases
May be susceptible to powdery mildews, fungal leaf spot, silver leaf and honey fungus (rarely)
Get involved
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