- Partial Sun (5 - 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 3 - 5 Feet
- Mature Spread 3 - 5 Feet
- Growing Zones 5 - 9
Thunderbolt is a shrubby, broadleaf evergreen that has a shocking golden color that lives up to its name. The spreading habit of Lonicera nitida ‘Thunderbolt’ gives it a strong presence that screams to be looked at by your guests. Use this shrub planted in the ground in groups or grown in a container as a specimen, Thunderbolt will boost any spot you put it in.
Honeysuckle shrubs can also be grown as a hedge or clipped into tight topiary shapes. It is a very versatile plant that gives the garden year-round interest and definition.
Thunderbolt Box Honeysuckle Care
Honeysuckle prefers a moist, well drained soil that has moderate nutrition. 5.0-8.0 pH is acceptable. Planting Lonicera in full sun will keep the colors vivid. After Thunderbolt is established it is very drought tolerant and will only need extra irrigation during the hottest of spells.
When Lonicera nitida is grown as a hedge or topiary, regular annual pruning is all that is needed to keep the shape. The best time to clip back broadleaved evergreens is in the middle of summer.
Thunderbolt Box Honeysuckle Spacing
Lonicera nitida is fairly compact in its size. Height of 3-5 feet and width of 3-5 feet. When planted as a hedge the spacing should be 3 feet, center on center. If planted to be grown unclipped, a spacing of 5 feet, center on center, or greater is appropriate.
Thunderbolt Box Honeysuckle Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 - 9 |
Plant Type: Perennials |
Light Exposure: Partial Sun (5 - 6 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 3 - 5 Feet |
Mature Spread: 3 - 5 Feet |
Spacing: 3 - 5 Feet |
Habit: Mounded, Spreading |
Flower Color(s): White |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: |
Foliage Type: Evergreen |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: |
Seasonal Interest: Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer, Disease |
Tolerates: Drought, Salt |
Attracts: Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Container Role: |
Uses: Borders, Edging, Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Attracts Pollinators, Foliage Interest, Low Maintenance |
Brand: |
Common Name: Thunderbolt Box Honeysuckle |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: LONICERA NITIDA `THUNDERBOLT` |
- SKU:
- 1231012357-pc
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

#5 Pot
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

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Pre-Ordered Plants
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated Spring Shipping Schedule
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 24th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants Shipping Now
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.