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Lonicera ligustrina

boxleaf honeysuckle

Caprifoliaceae China

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Fragrant (light)Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterMedium

HardinessZones 6–9

Overview

Lonicera ligustrina is a dense, evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub in the honeysuckle family, growing 1-2 m (3.3-6.6 ft) tall and as wide, with arching, finely branched stems. The small, oval leaves are 6-15 mm (0.24-0.6 in) long, glossy dark green, and closely set, giving the box-like texture of its common name. In late spring it bears pairs of tiny, tubular, cream flowers tucked among the leaves, lightly scented and easy to overlook. Translucent purple berries follow in late summer on plants that flower freely. It tolerates a wide range of soils, urban conditions, salt, and regular clipping, which has made it long established as a low hedge and topiary plant. The shrub withstands hard pruning but can be damaged by severe cold and may shed leaves in harsh winters. Its tight, small-leaved habit gives solid year-round structure and a clean clipped surface.

Native Range

Lonicera ligustrina is native to China, where it grows in scrub, woodland margins, and on slopes in cool, moist montane regions. It has been widely planted in temperate gardens beyond its native range. The forms used for hedging derive from the same species complex.

Suggested Uses

Lonicera ligustrina is used for low to medium formal hedges, topiary, edging, and dense evergreen structure in mixed borders. It suits urban and coastal gardens and clipped parterres. Plants are spaced 30-45 cm (12-18 in) apart for hedging.

How to Identify

Identify it by the dense, twiggy habit and very small, glossy, box-like evergreen leaves set in opposite pairs. Tiny paired cream flowers and later translucent purple-violet berries form among the foliage. It resembles box, Buxus sempervirens, but has thinner, brighter leaves and paired berries rather than capsules.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height3'3" - 6'7"

Width/Spread3'3" - 6'7"

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~4 weeks

Spring

Small, paired, tubular cream flowers open in late spring, usually May to June, hidden among the leaves. They carry a light scent and draw bees despite their size. Translucent purple berries develop from late summer where flowering has been good.

Detailed Descriptions

Foliage Description

glossy dark green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 3-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay chalk sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow in full sun to partial shade on most moist, well-drained soils, including chalk and clay; it tolerates urban air and coastal salt. Once established it copes with short dry spells but grows fuller with steady moisture. It is hardy in mild and cool temperate zones but can be cut back by severe frost and may drop leaves in hard winters. Regular clipping keeps the dense habit and is taken well. Overgrown plants respond to hard renovation pruning. It is raised easily from semi-ripe cuttings.

Pruning

Clip formal hedges and topiary two or three times between late spring and early autumn to keep crisp lines. Informal shrubs need only the removal of stray or damaged shoots. Overgrown plants can be cut back hard in spring and regrow from old wood.