Lonicera pileata
Privet honeysuckle | |
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Binomial: | Lonicera pileata |
Family: | Caprifoliaceae |
Type: | Low shrub |
Light requirements: | Full sun to light shade |
Water requirements: | Drought tolerant |
USDA Hardiness Zone: | (5)-6-8-(9) |
Propagation: | Layering |
Pest issues: | Rare |
Disease issues: | Rare |
Weediness: | Aggressive spreader |
Pollination: | Insects and hummingbirds |
The Privet Honeysuckle is a low-growing evergreen shrub or groundcover, useful for planting on banks or other areas due to its low maintenance needs.
Description
editThis is a low, spreading shrub with an arching habit and "fishbone-like" leaves and secondary branches. The leaves are small, simple, shiny dark green. The small white flowers are borne in the axils in pairs, and while they are not showy they do attract hummingbirds.
Growing Conditions
editDoes best in well-drained soils. May require some shelter in the colder part of the range.
Cultivars
edit- ‘Moss Green’: Compact, low-growing.
- ‘Royal Carpet’: Straight branches and purple fruit.
Uses
editThe arching habit makes it a good candidate for growing over walls or on steep banks. Layers readily and spreads fairly quickly.
The branches are also useful for floral arrangements.
Maintenance
editVery easy. Can outgrow its space, but easily reined in.
Propagation
editLayering is the most common method.
Pests and Diseases
editProblems are rare in the garden. Occasionally browsed by deer, but grows back readily. See Lonicera for a full discussion of pests and diseases affecting the genus.
References
edit- Christopher Brickell and Judith D. Zuk (1997). The American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. DK Publishing. p. 632.
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