The myrtle hedge is an ideal alternative to the boxwood. It is undemanding, easy to shape and impresses with a changeable beauty.
The hedge myrtle (Lonicera nitida) "Maigrün" presents itself to the observer in a variety of ways. Transformed into a wide variety of sculptures and figures, the plant becomes an eye-catcher in every garden. Hedge myrtle presents its fresh, may-green leaf color all year round. With its white flowers, the hedge myrtle "Maigrün" knows how to set additional accents. If you are looking for an easy-care and uncomplicated hedge plant that you can give your very own appearance with a regular topiary, you can find out everything you need to know about the plant, which is also used as a table decoration at weddings and other celebrations, here.
Plant Description
The hedge myrtle is a representative of the rather extensive Caprifoliaceae family. About 180 different species belong to this plant family. Their main distribution area is in the northern hemisphere. As a small shrub, the hedge myrtle only grows about a meter high. Plant heights of up to 1.5 meters have also been observed at particularly favorable locations. Hedge myrtle is characterized by its ovate, glossy, juicy green leaves. As a hedge plant, the hedge myrtle "Maigrün" scores points due to its robustness, tolerance to pruning and winter hardiness. The plants thrive in practically any location and are rarely affected by diseases.
Hedge myrtle "Maigrün" - the flexible garden plant
If you buy a 'Maigrün' hedge myrtle, you are acquiring a small shrub. As a rule, this already shows numerous fresh shoots and thus indicates its willingness to grow. The small shrubs are preferably planted as hedges. Hedge myrtles are also not unattractive as flowering plants. The ground cover can unfold particularly well in a single position. Once the plant has reached a certain size, you can turn the hedge myrtle into attractive shapes, sculptures or animals. The plant is in no way inferior to the boxwood and is often used as an alternative.
Hedge myrtles offer a wholeSet of different options:
- Groundcover
- underplanting
- Greening of areas
- small hedges
- Shape in a unique position
When does the hedge myrtle bloom?
As the name suggests, the flowering of the hedge myrtle falls in the month of May. If the location is ideally chosen, the flowering period can last into June. The small white flowers are particularly popular for table decorations at weddings or other festive occasions. In late summer, the plant forms round red berries. These are not edible but give the plant extra appeal.
Popular Hedge Myrtle Species
❍ Evergreen Honeysuckle
| Hedge myrtle 'Maigrün' (Lonicera nitida 'Maigrün') | |
|---|---|
| Growth Speed: | 15 - 25 cm a year |
| Growth: | 80 - 100 cm |
| Growth: | 80 - 100 cm |
| Plant Supplies: | 6 - 9 plants per m² / 3 - 5 plants per meter |
| Location: | sun to shade |
| Special Features: | very fast growing, attractive evergreen substitute for boxwood |
Hedge myrtle is one of the honeysuckle plants and occurs worldwide in more than 180 species. The plants originally come from Asia. The evergreen honeysuckle also includes the honeysuckle "Maigrün" described here.
❍ Tatar honeysuckle
| Tatar honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica) | |
|---|---|
| Growth Speed: | 30 - 40 cm a year |
| Growth: | 300 - 400 cm |
| Growth: | 300 - 400 cm |
| >Plant Supplies: | 6 - 3 plants per meter |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Special Features: | very robust, hardy, insect-friendly |
The Tatar honeysuckle has proven to be particularly robust and adaptable. This honeysuckle species can grow up to four meters tall. A sunny as well as a shady location is welcome. The pink flowers of the plant are particularly attractive. The deep red berries emerge in midsummer. Mature plants tolerate harsh climates and are well adapted to urban climates.
❍ Red Honeysuckle
| Red honeysuckle (Lonicera xylosteum) | |
|---|---|
| Growth Speed: | 25 -35 cm a year |
| Growth: | 200 - 300 cm |
| Growth: | 200 - 300 cm |
| >Plant Supplies: | 3 - 4 plants per meter |
| Location: | sun to shade |
| Special Features: | tolerant of heat and drought, hardy |
The red honeysuckle is also one of the evergreen honeysuckles. The plants tolerate extreme heat and tolerate longer periods of drought. In summer, the red honeysuckle is visited by numerous butterflies. The plants grow about three meters tall and love calcareous soil.
❍ Alpine honeysuckle
| Alpine honeysuckle (Lonicera alpigena) | |
|---|---|
| Growth Speed: | 10 - 15 cm a year |
| Growth: | 100 - 200 cm |
| Growth: | 60 - 100 cm |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Special Features: | very rare, hardy |
The alpine honeysuckle is also known as the red double berry. The shrub is deciduous and can grow up to three meters high. In the Alps, the plant occurs at altitudes of more than 2,000 meters. In Germany, the alpine honeysuckle occurs naturally along the course of the Danube.
Planting "Maigrün" Hedge Myrtle - Important Tips and Hints
The variety presented here is probably the most popular hedge myrtle and is therefore preferred for planting. This is not only due to the appearance, but also to the simplicity and growth potential of the plant itself.
» Tip: The hedge myrtle is also planted in tubs, but it rarely grows higher than half a meter.
Due to its dense growth, the plant can be used very well for the design of a hedge. In order to obtain a dense hedge, no less than four plants per meter should be planted.
Location:
The location can be chosen practically freely. Hedge myrtle also grows where many plants give up. If the plants are in the shade, they will grow just as quickly as if they choose a sunny or partially shaded location. It is therefore no problem to create larger hedges with the plants and to encounter different lighting conditions.
» Tip: If a hedge is to be planted, the fairly wide growth of the plants should be taken into account when choosing the location.
Would you like to green larger areasand quickly see corresponding successes, it makes sense to use up to seven plants per square meter. Hedge myrtle is not only attractive as a hedge plant. The plant can also be used as a background plant in a perennial border, in combination with phlox, delphiniums or asters.
In short:
- sunny to semi-shady
- as a hedge
- alone
- in the perennial bed
- Avoid waterlogging
Substrate:
The hedge myrtle is also undemanding with regard to the soil conditions. The plants thrive in acidic to alkaline soils. When planting, it should be noted that waterlogging is not tolerated. This can be counteracted by loosening the soil and creating drainage.
» Tip: Particularly heavy clay soils should be made more permeable with coarse sand or gravel.
If the hedge myrtle is planted in a tub, make sure the soil is rich in nutrients. Potted plants are also more at risk of being affected by waterlogging. A drainage layer of gravel or clay on the bottom of the vessel is therefore a good idea.
In short:
- loose
- permeable
- moist
- nutrient rich
- neutral, slightly acidic or slightly alkaline
Planting Instructions:
❶ Select location
❷ Observe planting distances
❸ Dig planting pits twice the size of the root ball
❹ Loosen the substrate and enrich with compost or horn shavings
❺ Plants insert into the individual planting holes
❻ fill with substrate
❼ press on the soil
❽ water the plants abundantly
First of all, the location must be selected according to the desired planting. It can be a single stand in a bed or a meter-long hedge. Weeds and stones must be removed from the ground. The planting holes can then be dug. To get a dense hedge, four to five plants per meter are necessary. In order to offer the plants an effective long-term fertilizer right from the start, the substrate must be upgraded accordingly. By adding compost, you provide the plants with long-term nutrients and encourage the mini hedge to grow quickly.
» Tip: When filling the planting holes, make sure that the soil does not reach further than just below the first pair of leaves.
The best planting times are spring and autumn. If planted in autumn, a layer of mulch protects the plants from theapproaching winter and ensures good growth.
The hedge myrtle "Maigrün" as a container plant
Hedge myrtle can also be cultivated and shaped in a bucket. Planters with hedge myrtle cut into a ball or pyramid shape can be used to design house entrances or driveways. When choosing a location, sun, partial shade or shade can be used. The substrate should be loosened to prevent waterlogging.
Potted plants should not be watered excessively. The soil can dry out a bit between the individual waterings. The young plants are usually supplied with sufficient nutrients when they are bought, so there is no need to fertilize them in the first year. The substrate can be enriched with compost. This is an effective long-term fertilizer. In winter, the container plant is less robust. A sheltered location on the wall of the house is ideal. In general, the hedge myrtle "Maigrün" is also hardy in the tub and tolerates temperatures in the double-digit minus range.
» Tip: If the plant is in a bucket, it should be watered sporadically on frost-free days so that the soil does not dry out completely.
How to properly care for the hedge myrtle
Casting:
If the hedge myrtle is planted outdoors, it can do without water for a long time. Regular watering is recommended during the growing season. You should wait until the top layer of soil has dried slightly before watering the next time. Even if occasional dehydration is acceptable, it should not become a permanent condition. This will weaken the plants too much.
Fertilize:
Young plants that have been purchased do not need to be fertilized for the first year after planting. They were adequately supplied with nutrients. On the other hand, if you have grown your plants yourself, you can add compost to the potting soil and thus provide a long-term fertilizer. If the plant is in a bucket, a commercial liquid fertilizer should be used every two months during the summer months.
Pruning:
The hedge myrtle is extremely tolerant of pruning. Due to the enormous joy in growth, pruning measures can be started at an early stage. The ideal time for pruning is late winter. You don't have to be cautious about this, a strong pruning promotes growth and the plant sprout all the more.
» Tip: Young plants in particular tolerate pruning very well. Will the plantolder, no more radical pruning should be done.
Topiary:
Hedge myrtle is often used as a substitute for boxwood. Many hobby gardeners practice topiary and transform the robust small shrub into pyramids, balls, spirals or animals. Templates are commercially available for the corresponding figures. But you can also get creative yourself and, for example, create a sphere or pyramid with the help of templates you have made yourself.
» Tip: The topiary works particularly well with the help of special bonsai hedge trimmers, such as this one.
Diseases and pests:
Hedge myrtle is particularly valued not least because of its robustness. The occurrence of diseases can be virtually ruled out. Pests also hold back as much as possible.
Young and self-grown plants alone can occasionally be attacked by spider mites. Spider mites can be recognized by the spots they leave on the leaves and, in advanced stages, by the webs.
What to do?
In the event of an infestation, treat the undersides of the leaves in particular. These should be washed off vigorously. Preparations based on neem seeds or neem oil have also proven their worth.
» Tip: Check the plants regularly. In this way, an infestation can be detected promptly.
Propagation:
Propagation is by cuttings. The best time to get cuttings is early summer. Woody shoots from existing plants are suitable as cuttings. These are cut to a length of 15 to 20 centimeters.
» Tip: Sections from the topiary can be used as cuttings.
What is needed for propagation by cuttings?
- clean garden tools
- Cultivation soil
- Planters
- Plastic wrap or plastic hoods
Before the cutting is placed in the potting soil, the lower leaves must be removed. The remaining foliage should not come into contact with the substrate so that the leaves do not start to rot. The cutting is placed in the ground and lightly watered. Potting soil mixed with sand can also be used as an alternative to special potting soil.
How are the cuttings treated?
The plant pots are placed in a sheltered place. The plants should not be exposed to the blazing sun. Temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees are ideal. Holdthe earth always moist, but never too wet. To speed up rooting, the planters are covered with plastic wrap or a plastic hood. If new shoots appear, the propagation has been successful and the plastic hood can be removed.
Once the plants have developed sufficiently, they are transplanted into normal potting soil and cultivated further in a protected location. After a frost-free hibernation, the young plants can be planted out at the desired location next spring.
» Tip: If you are planning to plant a hedge, the work will be easier if the cuttings are grown in a flower box. In this way, a straight row can be created from several plants, because up to five cuttings fit in a flower box.
Hibernate:
The robust plant does not need any special protection in winter. The plants also tolerate severe frosts. So that the plants do not dry out, they should be watered well again before winter. Container plants should be placed in a sheltered spot and should be watered occasionally even in winter.
The hedge myrtle "Maigrün" as bonsai
The pruning tolerance and the rather small leaves make the hedge myrtle an ideal bonsai plant. The bonsai should be bright and as sunny as possible. The plants can spend the summer outdoors. Even watering makes sense, short dry periods are tolerated. Most common designs can be realized with the hedge myrtle. Heavy pruning is also well tolerated. Supportive wiring can be done from June. Be careful not to cut the wire into the bark.