Lonicera ligustrina var. yunnanensis (loh-NIS-er-a lig-US-tree-nuh yoo-nan-EN-sis)
Family: CaprifoliaceaeNon-nativeShrub (3-15 ft)
Shrub (3-15 ft)Non-native
The boxleaf honeysuckle is an evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae). The species epithet, ligustrina , is Latin for “privet-like.” The varietal epithet is Latin and means “of Yunnan” in reference to its homeland in central China. The boxleaf honeysuckle grows in both sun and shade but should be protected from the hot afternoon sun in warmer regions to prevent foliage burn. It likes humus-rich soils but will adapt to clay, loam or sandy soils. It is salt and drought tolerant once established. It should be pruned immediately after flowering. It grows readily from cuttings. The boxleaf honeysuckle may be evergreen or semi-evergreen in the southern parts of its range, with leaves turning bronze or plum in the winter. It grows rather quickly once pruned and must be trimmed regularly to maintain desired shape and size. When it is grown as a hedge, it should be trimmed twice during summer. When pruning, keep in mind that the plant flowers on old growth. This species is a useful substitute for box ( Buxus spp.). It is equally useful as a hedge or topiary subject. Use it in an Asian garden, a formal English garden or a cottage garden. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. More information on Lonicera .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in. | Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Dense; Erect; Horizontal; Spreading
Texture
Fine
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Deciduous; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Purple/Lavender
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Orbicular; Ovate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf feel
Glossy
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Glossy dark green leaves are 0.2 to 0.6 in. long and wide. May be smooth or sparsely hairy on midvein
Flower color
Cream/Tan; White
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
0.5 in. long creamy white flowers in pairs appear in spring
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit color
Black; Blue; Purple/Lavender
Fruit type
Berry
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
0.2 in. bluish-purple/black fruit in late summer
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Yunnan Province, China
Wildlife value
Birds are attracted to the berries.
Attracts
Songbirds
Play value
Fragrance; Screening; Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Berry
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Slope/Bank; Woodland
Landscape theme
Asian Garden; Cottage Garden; Drought Tolerant Garden; English Garden
Design feature
Border; Foundation Planting; Hedge; Screen/Privacy