A bit of an update on the Lonicera Nitida that I used at the shed end of the line, posted as an example of the growth rate of the stuff over time (might be useful for some of some of us garden chaps). For the record the soil is essentially clay, the border was dug over and mixed with compost. For the first year (2009) they were fed with Miricle Gro every three weeks or so, they had three feeds I think over 2010, for 2011 and 2012 they've been left to fend for themselves. They get the sun first thing and go into shadow early afternoon, say 14:00. They are watered during summer, especially if hot, but we often get enough rain to stop me bothering. I've shown the photos after they've been trimmed in 2011 to gauge the growth into 2012.The last photo shows current status after trimming today.
In the ground at the start of June 2009
Growth through to end of May 2010, a good first year
Is wasn't trimmed in 2010, apart from the odd straggly bit. Growth through to mid May 2011
Bit of shearing
Growth through to start of April 2012
Post trim April 2012
Its not so obvious from some of the photos, but each year the bush is getting denser and the angle of the embankment after trimming is getting towards being more suitably shallow, hopefully next year it will be spot on. Its also growing nicely behind the line and up the fence - the honeysuckles that used to be up against the fence came out last year so there is more space for the Lonicera and less competition for water and nutrients.