James Burghardt
Family
Caprifoliaceae
Botanical Name
LONICERA nitida 'Lemon Beauty'
Plant Common Name
Box Honeysuckle, Lemon Beauty Box Honeysuckle
General Description
Glowing, evergreen foliage and graceful branching make ‘Lemon Beauty’ a fortunate gift to gardeners from its dark-green ancestor, a shrub native to southwestern China. A dense, mounding, fine-branching shrub, it bears small, leathery, oval to linear green leaves that are outlined by distinctive lemon yellow margins. New stems add a purplish cast. The leaves hang on in mild climates to offer bright color throughout the drab winter months. In a dormant garden this definitely is a highlight. Although ‘Lemon Beauty’ doesn't grow as fast or large as the species, this variety can still tend toward a rangy habit and need pruning for shape.
The small white flowers appear at the end of spring and do not resemble those of traditional honeysuckle vines. They are fragrant bells that hang in pairs and give way to purple berries that ripen in summer and are relished by birds. This shrub is renowned for growing under a wide variety of conditions from heat to cold, moist to dry, and in any soil that is well drained. However, if planted in the open, its leaf color can be damaged by sun scald in the summer. The ideal location offers morning sun and shade in the hot afternoons. This plant is notably tolerant of salt spray and resistant to oak root fungus. It is a great year around color relief that makes a fine single specimen or a stand out accent in a mixed border
Characteristics
-
AHS Heat Zone
9 - 5
-
USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 9
-
Sunset Zone
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
-
Plant Type
Shrub
-
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
-
Bloom Time
Early Summer
-
Native To
Hybrid Origin, China
Growing Conditions
-
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
-
Soil Drainage
Well Drained
-
Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
-
Tolerances
Drought
-
Growth Rate
Fast
-
Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
-
Habit
Oval/Rounded
-
Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
-
Flower Interest
Showy
-
Flower Color
White
-
Fruit Color
Blue, Purple
-
Foliage Color (Spring)
Chartreuse, Lemon Yellow
-
Foliage Color (Spring) Modifier
Variegated
-
Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Lemon Yellow
-
Foliage Color (Summer) Modifier
Variegated
-
Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Lemon Yellow, Bronze, Plum
-
Foliage Color (Fall) Modifier
Variegated
-
Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Lemon Yellow, Bronze, Plum
-
Foliage Color (Winter) Modifier
Variegated
-
Bark Color
Gray
-
Fragrant Flowers
Yes
-
Fragrant Fruit
No
-
Fragrant Foliage
No
-
Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
-
Flower Petal Number
Single
-
Repeat Bloomer
No
-
Showy Fruit
No
-
Edible Fruit
No
-
Showy Foliage
Yes
-
Foliage Texture
Medium
-
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
-
Evergreen
Yes
-
Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
-
Bark Texture
Smooth
-
Usage
Feature Plant, Foundation, Hedges, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break
-
Sharp or Has Thorns
No
-
Invasive
No
-
Attracts
Birds
-
Self-Sowing
No