Bareroot Lonicera nitida (Box Honeysuckle)

A versatile evergreen shrub prized for its dense, bushy growth and small, glossy leaves that create excellent formal structure in gardens. Its tight growth habit and responsiveness to pruning make it perfect for crisp hedges, topiary or low maintenance borders, while the tiny cream flowers in spring add subtle charm. Thriving in both sun and partial shade, it adapts well to most soil types and tolerates coastal conditions better than many hedging alternatives. The fine textured foliage remains neat year round, providing reliable structure without overpowering other plants. An ideal choice for gardeners seeking an attractive, resilient shrub that maintains its form with minimal care.

Family of Trees: Caprifoliaceae

Habit: Evergreen Shrub, Dense

Growth Rate: 30-50 cm/year

Optimal Temperature: 10-25°C, hardy to -15°C

Harmful if Eaten?: Mildly toxic (berries)

Flowers or Berries: Cream Flowers, Purple Berries

Hardiness: H5 (Hardy)

Hardiness ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

○ H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
○ H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
○ H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
○ H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
○ H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
○ H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
○ H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
○ H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
○ H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)