Privet honeysuckle
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

This 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

Does best in well-drained soils. May require some shelter in the colder part of the range.

Cultivars

• ‘Moss Green’: Compact, low-growing.
• ‘Royal Carpet’: Straight branches and purple fruit.

Uses

The 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

Very easy. Can outgrow its space, but easily reined in.

Propagation

Layering is the most common method.

Pests and Diseases

Problems 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

• Christopher Brickell and Judith D. Zuk (1997). The American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. DK Publishing. pp. 632.