Lonicera nitida “Baggesen’s Gold”

Golden Boxleaf Honeysuckle
Lonicera nitida “Baggeson’s Gold”
Type: Evergreen Shrub
Exposure: Sun / Part Shade
Water: Regular

This popular relative of Honeysuckle features small, glossy round leaves that somewhat resemble boxwood leaves. Arching branches form a sprawling mound of foliage that can reach 5ft (1.5m) high and wide, but is (again like boxwood) easily pruned to shape. The leaves vary in color from bright green to a fresh yellowish-green if grown in partly shaded conditions; too much sun tends to bleach the chartreuse to a very pale yellow, while the leaves underneath (being shaded by the outer leaves, I guess) remain green. Being evergreen, it’s prized as a spot of sunny color in the winter garden. Also,  it’s often used to contrast with deeper green or purple / red foliage, or as a textural contrast with bolder-leaved plants.

Pro Tip: Sadly, this one doesn’t share the sweetly-scented blooms of some of the climbing loniceras. Oh, well.

Cheers,

John