Lonicera pileata Hedge (Box-leaved Honeysuckle)

Lonicera pileata Hedge Plant Description

Lonicera pileata, commonly known as Privet Honeysuckle, is a low-growing, semi-evergreen shrub prized for its spreading habit and dense foliage. With its glossy, dark green leaves and small, creamy-white flowers in late spring, it creates a neat, textured ground cover or low hedge. In autumn, it produces purple berries that add seasonal interest. Reaching up to 0.5m in height and spreading up to 1.5m, it is an excellent choice for covering large areas, banks, or underplanting taller shrubs.

Growth Rate: Lonicera pileata is considered a medium grower, increasing in size by about 20-30 cm per year under ideal conditions. This plant is hardy and adaptable to a wide range of soils, thriving best in well-drained, fertile soil. It tolerates both full sun and partial shade, making it versatile for various garden settings.

Pruning Advice

Prune in late spring or early summer, after flowering, to avoid cutting off next year’s blooms.

For regular maintenance, lightly trim the plant to shape it and control its spread. This encourages denser growth and maintains its neat appearance.

Hard Pruning: If needed, it can tolerate harder pruning to rejuvenate older or leggy plants. Cut back up to one-third of its growth, ideally during its dormant period, to encourage fresh shoots.

Due to its fast spread, regular trimming helps to keep the plant under control and maintains a tidy, compact form. Keep in mind that Lonicera pileata thrives with regular attention and light maintenance pruning throughout the growing season.

Further Information

Planting distances are largely a matter of preference. For bare root plants, spacing them at 3 plants per meter is sufficient, 5 plants is optimal, and 7 plants in a double staggered row will result in a denser hedge more quickly. Generally, smaller plants should be planted at a higher density. For cell-grown plants, spacing at 4 plants per meter in a single row or ideally 6 plants per meter in a staggered row is recommended.

Delivery & Returns

Free delivery is available on most orders (except Premium Products) providing they meet the minimum spend criteria for the size of box or pallet. Pallet deliveries and large box deliveries for tall plants are indicated by icons on the product table listings. Delivery costs and minimum order details for each packaging type are as follows:

* Standard Sized Boxes (Bare root up to 1.2m tall & pots up to 7.5L) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £9.98 charge.

* Tall Sized Boxes (Bare roots 1.2m & over) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £250 | or £24.99 charge.

* Pallets (Root balls, large pots 10L+, trees etc | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £350 | or £82 charge.

* Pleached Trees (Specialist Delivery) | Free UK Mainland Delivery for orders over £1500 | or £450 charge.