Shrub · Caprifoliaceae family
privet honeysuckle
Lonicera pileata
In short a 10-second read
Privet honeysuckle (shrub) grows to 0.6–0.91 m tall and 1.5–2.4 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to shade, in dry to average soil. It flowers in May–July; the flowers are white or yellow. Hardy to −23 °C.
× spread 1.5–2.4 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to shade, in dry to average soil. Hardy to −23 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
dry to average · watering: moderate
Soil: clay, loamy, sandy, humus-rich
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 10–20 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
May–July · white or yellow
Pruning
prune after flowering (August)
Planting
container plant: October–April
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −23 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −23 °C
- Evergreen — green in winter too
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does privet honeysuckle flower?
In May–July; the flowers are white or yellow.
Does privet honeysuckle tolerate shade?
Yes, it tolerates full shade.
How much space does privet honeysuckle need?
At maturity 1.5–2.4 m wide and 0.6–0.91 m tall; recommended spacing 100 cm.
Does privet honeysuckle survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −23 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 17 October 2026.
Show sources (20)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Lonicera ligustrina var. pileata
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Lonicera pileata 'Moss Green'
- Oregon State University Landscape Plants — Lonicera pileata
- Bruns Pflanzen — Lonicera pileata
- Lorberg Baumschulen — Lonicera pileata
- Bamberger Staudengarten Strobler — Lonicera pileata
- Wikidata (CC0) — Lonicera pileata
- GBIF Species Match / backbone — Lonicera pileata
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Lonicera pileata
- RHS - Lonicera pileata
- RHS - Shrubs: pruning early-flowering
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- RHS - How to grow shrubs
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EASIN, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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