Lonicera nitida
| Lonicera nitida | |
| Light: |    |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 10' |
| Width: | 10' |
| Speed: | Fast |
| Native to: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Lonicera nitida (common name: boxleaf honeysuckle)
Propagation: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame. Stored seed requires 2 months cold stratification[1] and should be sown as soon as possible in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with or without a heel, July/August in a frame. Good percentage[2].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, 15 - 20cm with or without a heel, November in a cold frame. Good percentage[2].
Layering in autumn[3].
Cultivation: A very easily grown and tolerant plant, it succeeds in any fertile soil, preferring a good moist soil in a sunny position[4][3]. Succeeds in deep shade[5]. Established plants are fairly drought tolerant, so long as there is plenty of humus in the soil[6].
Plants are hardy to about -15°c[7][5]. Another report says that it is not very hardy in northern Britain and that it rarely fruits in Britain[8].
Plants seem to be immune to the predations of deer[9].
A number of forms have been developed for their ornamental value[9].
Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can regrow from very old wood[5].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[3].
Range: E. Asia - China.
Habitat: In scrub and along streams, 1300 - 2100 metres in Yunnan and W. Sichuan[7].
Usage: Can be grown as a medium sized hedge. It is very fast growing but needs lots of trimming[10][3]. It is quite frequently used as a hedge plant in Britain[3].
The forms 'Graziosa' and 'Maigrün (Maygreen) can be used as ground cover plants[9][11].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Davis, Brian. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking, 1990.
- ↑ Chatto, Beth. The Damp Garden. Dent, 1982.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Shrubs. Pan Books, 1989.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ Shepherd, F. W.. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society, 1974.
- ↑ Napier, Elspeth. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells, 1989.