Great Plant Pick: Lonicera nitida ‘Twiggy,’ twiggy boxleaf honeysuckle

Published 1:30 am Friday, September 3, 2021

What: A great addition for smaller spaces, Lonicera nitida “Twiggy” is a more petite version of Lonicera “Baggesen’s Gold;” in fact, it is a sport of the latter. Twiggy boxleaf honeysuckle has a mounding habit with arching branches and the foliage generally has a golden sheen, but depending on the amount of sunlight, the leaves may take on a platinum blond coloration with more sun to more of a chartreuse in shadier situations. Supposedly, there can be tiny white flowers in spring followed by purple black berries in autumn, however, this is seemingly more of a rare occurrence. In areas where winters are milder, the foliage will normally be evergreen, but in colder winter climates the plant may be deciduous.

Where: Plant “Twiggy” in well-drained soil. A site with more sun will require regular to frequent watering to prevent the foliage from burning, but will result in more shades of golden color. Chartruese colorations will predominate in locations with light to open shade whereas dappled and deep shade sites will generally be green.

Size: This dwarf shurb will grow to be 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide when mature.

Care: Twiggy boxleaf huneysuckle can be easily be pruned into a low hedge.

— Richie Steffen, Great Plant Picks