Lonicera nitida 'Ophelie' – A Compact, Evergreen Shrub with Elegant Green Foliage
Lonicera nitida 'Ophelie', commonly known as Ophelie Honeysuckle, is a compact, evergreen shrub that adds year-round beauty to any garden with its lush, glossy green foliage. Reaching a height of 60cm and a spread of 1 meter, this hardy shrub is perfect for low hedges, borders, and ground cover, offering a neat and tidy appearance. Its dense growth habit provides a natural, textured look while maintaining a structured form.
In late spring to early summer, Lonicera nitida 'Ophelie' produces small, fragrant white flowers that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, adding seasonal interest to the shrub. While the flowers are modest in size, their sweet fragrance makes them a pleasant addition to the garden. As an evergreen, Lonicera nitida 'Ophelie' retains its vibrant green foliage year-round, providing valuable winter interest and serving as a lovely backdrop for other plants throughout the seasons.
Why Grow Lonicera nitida 'Ophelie'?
Evergreen Foliage – The lush, glossy green leaves provide year-round interest, ensuring your garden remains vibrant even during the colder months when other plants may be dormant.
Compact Growth Habit – With a height and spread of 60cm, this shrub is ideal for small spaces, borders, and as ground cover, offering a neat and controlled appearance without becoming too large.
Fragrant Flowers – The small, white tubular flowers emit a delicate fragrance, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies, enhancing the ecological health of your garden.
Low Maintenance – Lonicera nitida 'Ophelie' is easy to care for once established, making it an excellent choice for both beginner and experienced gardeners.
Versatile Landscaping Use – This honeysuckle is well-suited for low hedges, foundation planting, container gardens, or as a compact specimen plant, where its fresh green foliage can add texture and structure.
Planting & Care Guide
Position: Prefers full sun to partial shade. It thrives in a sunny spot but can tolerate some shade, though it may not flower as profusely in lower light conditions. Full sun will help ensure the best growth and foliage color.
Soil: Thrives in well-drained, fertile soil and is adaptable to a variety of soil types, including clay, loam, and sandy soils. It prefers slightly acidic to neutral pH but is quite tolerant of a range of conditions.
Watering: Water regularly when newly planted to establish a strong root system. Once established, Lonicera nitida 'Ophelie' is drought-tolerant but benefits from occasional watering during dry spells to maintain its vibrant appearance.
Maintenance:
Pruning can be done in early spring to remove any dead or damaged growth and to shape the plant. Light pruning throughout the growing season helps to maintain the shrub’s compact form and encourages fresh growth.
Mulching around the base of the plant helps to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Apply mulch in early spring for added protection and to enrich the soil.
Fertilizing is generally not required, but applying a light dose of balanced fertilizer in spring can promote healthy growth, especially in nutrient-poor soils.
Perfect Plant Combinations
Lonicera nitida 'Ophelie' pairs well with other evergreen shrubs like Buxus (Boxwood), Pittosporum (Japanese Laurel), or Heuchera (Coral Bells), where the fresh green foliage adds texture and contrast. For a more naturalistic look, combine it with flowering perennials such as Lavender, Echinacea (Coneflower), or Salvia (Sage), which add seasonal color and complement the shrub’s elegant form. It also works beautifully as ground cover beneath taller shrubs or trees, where it can help maintain a clean, structured appearance while preventing weeds.
Does the height include the pot?
No, we measure from the top of the pot to the tip of the plant except for some of the instant planted screens, in this case it will be stated in the description
How long does delivery take?
Most orders are delivered in just a few days, Smaller items are often sent with Parcelforce on a next day service, Larger items should allow up to 10 days due to the size of the items they often have to be sent on our own transport.
Where will you leave my plants?
We will leave your order at the front of your property, Parcelforce may
leave your items in a safe place if you let us know, Pallet couriers
will require a flat hard surface to deliver to, no gravel or soil, a
driveway or parking spot would be best. Most importantly Deliveries by
pallet courier will require access for a large truck (bin lorry sized)
to get near the delivery point. Deliveries sent on our own transport may come in a small van or larger truck.
