Privet honeysuckle (Lonicera pileata 'Moss Green')

Overview

Lonicera pileata ‘Moss Green’ is a highly effective, dense, spreading shrub valued for its evergreen to semi-evergreen coverage. This cultivar, known widely as Privet honeysuckle, offers bright green foliage that maintains aesthetic appeal throughout the year, especially in milder winter climates. It forms a rugged, low mat, making it an excellent choice for controlling erosion or softening harsh landscapes.

As a compact variation, Lonicera pileata ‘Moss Green’ typically reaches only 1 to 2 feet high but can spread vigorously to 5 to 8 feet wide. Its branches often root where they touch the ground, swiftly establishing widespread coverage. Although it produces small, fragrant, yellowish-white flowers in late spring, the plant is primarily chosen for its texture and dependable ground-hugging habit rather than its blooms or berries.

Gardeners appreciate the low maintenance requirements of Privet honeysuckle, which thrive in various light conditions and demonstrate notable resilience once established. This quality, combined with its ability to function as a tough foundation planting, makes Lonicera pileata ‘Moss Green’ a versatile asset in contemporary and traditional landscape designs requiring dependable, uniform coverage.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Caprifoliaceae
• Plant Type: Broadleaf evergreen
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 6-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 1-2 ft
  • Spread: 5-8 ft
• Bloom Time: May to June
• Bloom Description: Yellowish-white
• Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

The ideal location for Lonicera pileata ‘Moss Green’ is in humusy, organically rich, well-drained soil. While it tolerates full sun, ensure plants receive regular moisture if sited in hot, sunny locations, as foliage may burn without adequate water. In hot summer regions, supplemental shade during the afternoon is highly recommended for optimal performance. This plant roots readily from cuttings, offering an easy method for propagation.

Watering requirements are medium; consistency is key during establishment and during dry, sunny periods. Pruning should be done sparingly, generally as needed immediately after flowering concludes in early summer. Avoid heavy shearing late in the season, as this might compromise winter hardiness or evergreen retention for the following year.

In areas where winters are mild (USDA Zone 8), the Privet honeysuckle retains its foliage well, acting as a true evergreen. In cooler pockets, it may appear semi-evergreen or even deciduous, losing some leaves over winter. This ease of care contributes significantly to the low maintenance nature of Lonicera pileata ‘Moss Green’.

Landscape Uses

The primary role for this tough plant is as a shrubby ground cover or underplanting, particularly effective in shady or partially shaded areas where turf struggles. Its vigorous spreading habit makes Lonicera pileata ‘Moss Green’ excellent for naturalizing broad swaths of land quickly. Plant it to cover banks or slopes, leveraging its rooting branches to help stabilize the soil structure against erosion.

Consider using Privet honeysuckle as a low, informal border along woodland garden paths or beneath taller specimen trees. Because it is deer and drought tolerant once established, it works well in low-input garden areas or slopes where access for frequent maintenance is difficult. It pairs well aesthetically with fine-textured ferns or coarse-textured shade perennials.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy
• Fragrant

Fruit Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Lonicera pileata is a dense, spreading, evergreen to semi-evergreen shrub which is typically grown as a high ground cover rising to 2-3’ tall but spreading to 5-8’ wide or more on horizontal branches which root at the nodes where they touch the ground. Native to central to southeastern China, it is sometimes confused with privet due to its foliage resemblance. The ‘Moss Green’ cultivar is more compact, specifically valued for its bright green leaves and reduced stature compared to the species.

Tolerances

• Deer
• Drought

Potential Problems

Lonicera pileata ‘Moss Green’ generally experiences no serious insect or disease problems, contributing to its low maintenance status. However, gardeners in regions prone to heat and high humidity, such as the St. Louis area, should watch for fungal issues like powdery mildew or leaf spots. Periodically monitor for minor infestations of aphids, treating promptly with horticultural oils or insecticidal soap if populations become high enough to cause cosmetic damage to your Privet honeysuckle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Privet honeysuckle suitable for?

Lonicera pileata ‘Moss Green’ is best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 8.

How large does Lonicera pileata ‘Moss Green’ grow?

This compact cultivar typically reaches a height between 1 and 2 feet, but spreads widely, often achieving a spread of 5 to 8 feet.

What sun exposure does Privet honeysuckle need?

It performs well in conditions ranging from full sun to part shade. Remember that plants in full sun need more consistent moisture than those sited in shadier spots.

When does Lonicera pileata ‘Moss Green’ bloom?

This plant produces its fragrant, yellowish-white flowers primarily between May and June.

Conclusion

The Lonicera pileata ‘Moss Green’ remains an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a tough, attractive, broadleaf evergreen ground cover with minimal fuss. Its spreading habit and bright foliage offer year-round structure and effective soil stabilization on slopes. Confirm your location falls within USDA Zones 6-8 and plant this Privet honeysuckle in well-drained soil for the best results.

Companion Planting

When integrating Lonicera pileata ‘Moss Green’ into the landscape, select companions that share similar needs for medium moisture and preference for sun to part shade. Shade-tolerant perennials like Hostas or Japanese Forest Grass (Hakonechloa macra) provide excellent textural contrast under the dense mat of the honeysuckle. Avoid planting near overly aggressive species, as the spreading nature of Privet honeysuckle means it can compete aggressively in favorable conditions.

Propagation Tips

Growing more Lonicera pileata ‘Moss Green’ for large-scale coverage is straightforward due to its propensity to root easily from cuttings. Softwood cuttings taken during the active growing season and placed in a moist, protected environment often establish roots quickly. This ease of vegetative propagation is ideal for quickly multiplying your stock for bank stabilization projects or filling in sparse areas of your established ground cover.