Hedge identification - Help please!

AgentJR

Hi

I need to identify my hedge please, so that I can fill in the gaps with the same. I have posted some photos.

The local gardening centre told me it is a Lonicera Nitilda (honeysuckle family) but, when I read up on this, it has white flowers and berries. Our hedge is evergreen and looks similar, but it doesn't have any flowers or berries, just very dark tiny leaves.

Hoping someone can help.

Many thanks in advance.



.

Borderline

They do look like Lonicera Nitida to me, but take a look at Lonicera Plieata too just to be sure. Flowers and fruits are not always obvious, especially if they have been pruned at least once a year. I can't really tell by the photos. If your gaps are small, some harsh pruning will thicken your hedge up and in a year or two, the gaps will be covered up.

nutcutlet

If you grow it as a hedge you rarely see a flower. 
If it's more than about 3 foot tall it's nitida

AgentJR

Thank you for your responses.

Yes, it is over 3’ tall. We trim the height every year and have it on both sides of the garden. Haven’t seen a flower or berry in 11 years I’ve lived here. Spent a lot of time in the winter pulling out all the weeds, ivy, bind weed etc that was strangling it. Now left a lot of gaps.

Papi Jo

I advise uprooting and replacing with something nicer.

AgentJR

Hi all

Just a quick update to let you know that I bought some young Lonicera Nitida to fill the gaps and it is an exact match!

The entire hedge is recovering really well (since our major surgery on it over the winter). Perseverance is key. Glad we didn’t uproot it in the end.

So thank you for your advice/help.

👍