Privet

Lonicera pileata (Caprifoliaceae) is a low, spreading evergreen or semi-evergreen shrub native to China, where it grows in scrub and along streams at 300 to 1,800 meters elevation. It reaches about 3 feet tall and 6 feet wide with horizontal branches. The opposite leaves (13 to 32 mm) are larger than those of the related L. nitida. Small, yellowish-white, fragrant flowers appear in spring, followed by translucent violet-black berries.

Privet honeysuckle grows in full sun to part shade on moist, well-drained soil across a broad pH range (4.5 to 8.5). It tolerates salt spray and moderate drought. The cultivar 'Moss Green' is available. The species carries a heavier pest and disease load than L. nitida, with anthracnose, leaf spot, powdery mildew, root rot, and yellow vein virus documented among diseases, and lilac leafminer, thrips, and aphids among pests. It blooms on old wood and should be pruned after flowering. Hardy in Zones 6a to 8b.