Lonicera pileata

box-leaf honeysuckle

Evergreen Shrub

"Outstanding Qualities
Lonicera pileata with its evergreen boxwood-like foliage and low spreading habit has small, fragrant, funnel-shaped creamy-white flowers in May and pretty, violet-blue translucent berries in winter. Lonicera pileata makes a good groundcover, where a branch touches the ground it will root-in and slowly spread over time. This box-leaf honeysuckle is salt tolerant and does well in seashore plantings. Lonicera pileata also works well as a companion plant for deciduous trees like the Pacific Northwest native maple, Acer circinatum.

Culture Notes
Grow this tough evergreen shrub in a moist to well-drained location. It will also perform well in sand or clay with adequate drainage. It will grow best in full sun to dappled shade. Provide occasional watering during dry weather, although in shade it is drought tolerant. If kept too dry in sun the foliage can burn. It responds well to pruning and can easily be shaped and sheared." —Courtesy Great Plant Picks

Growing Conditions

Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Exposure: Full Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade, Filtered Sun, Morning Sun, Open Shade

Water Needs: Drought-tolerant, Occasional

Description

Size: 18 - 24 tall x 48 - 96 wide
Shape / Form: Horizontal, Low and Spreading
Foliage Texture: Fine
Foliage Quality: Fine

Features: Attractive Foliage, Fragrant, Winter Interest, Year-round Interest

Foliage Color: Green
Leaf Shape: Elliptical


Bloom Season: May, Late Spring / Early Summer

Fruit Description: Purple

Uses and Applications

Landscape Uses: Banks and Slopes, Erosion Control, Groundcover, Hedges and Screens, Massed, Mixed Border, Structure / Foundation
Special Situations: Seaside / Salt Tolerant

More Design Considerations

Season of Interest: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, Year-round Interest, Three Seasons of Interest
Position / Role: ground hugger, mid-plane filler
Plant Behavior: Fast Growing / Vigorous
Collections: Great Plant Pick

Care and Maintenance


Suitable Substitutes

Perfect Partners

Acer circinatum | Vine Maple
Elaeagnus × ebbingei 'Gilt Edge' | Variegated Hybrid Elaeagnus

Plant Combos