Lonicera nitida - Shrub

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Lonicera nitida

Lonicera nitida, Bagessens Gold

Part of the Honeysuckle family, but nothing at all like the fragrant climbing members of the group. Lonicera nitida is a bushy, evergreen hardy shrub. It is sometimes known as "poor man's box" a reference to the fact that while similar to box, it not so neat and formal, but also considerably faster growing and therefore much cheaper to buy - and also much quicker to establish as a hedge.

The ordinary green variety makes a good dense hedge, closer knit and smaller leaved than privet.

There is also a yellow-leaved variety called "Baggesen's Gold" that is slower growing and smaller than the green one. Grow "Baggesen's Gold" in full sun for the best colour, it can be used also as a hedging plant, or as a useful addition to a mixed border if left to grow informally, the yellow leaves adding a welcome bright patch.

Height and spread: 3m x 3m (10ft x 10ft), 1.5m x 1.5m (5ft x 5ft) for Baggesen's Gold

Position: full sun or partial shade, Baggesen's Gold develops the best colour in full sun

Soil: moist, well-drained, generally unfussy

Rate of growth: medium growing

Hardiness: fully hardy, not suitable for very exposed positions

Uses - Hedging / mixed border / topiary / container topiary

Planting distance when used for hedging	Clipped height	Number of times to clip per season and when	Responds to renovation?
30cm, 12"	1-1.5m, 3-5ft	2 - 3 growing season	Yes

Pruning: Specimen shrubs need minimal pruning. Will grow again from brown wood, so can be cut back to 15cm, 6" more than final required size in spring (preferably or at any time in growing season) Complete renovation can be achieved by cutting the whole plant to within 15cm, 6" of the ground.

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