Lonicera ligustrina var. pileata ‘Blue Pearl’

If you think you know this already, think again. Usually a dull hedging plant in cultivation, this exceptional newly named form has handsome, narrow, glossy, dark-green foliage to 6cm and very distinctive, translucent light blue orbicular berries in autumn, which are occasionally mauve or even clear, with the seeds inside fully visible. It was originally found in Guizhou, SW China in the 1980's. but was selected and named far more recently by Kevin Hobbs. A semi-evergreen hardy shrub to 1.5m tall, excellent in shade, but a better fruit set is seen in a warm sunny position.

£22.50