Lonicera Nitida Garden Clouds Purple Storm Boxleaf Honeysuckle

Lonicera Nitida Garden Clouds Purple Storm, commonly known as Shrubby Honeysuckle or Boxleaf Honeysuckle Garden Clouds Purple Storm, is a striking evergreen shrub from the Garden Clouds series. Specially bred for compact growth and colourful foliage, it combines the practicality of a low-maintenance hedge or topiary with the added benefit of year-round ornamental appeal. Its foliage displays rich purple tones that deepen in cooler weather, giving it a distinctive edge.

This compact honeysuckle has small, glossy leaves that emerge greenish bronze and mature to deep purple, creating a dense and vibrant effect. Unlike the more traditional green forms of Lonicera Nitida, Purple Storm offers a bold splash of colour in the landscape, which intensifies during autumn and winter months. Its neat, bushy habit makes it perfect for clipping, and with minimal trimming, it maintains a naturally rounded dome shape. In spring, tiny creamy white flowers appear, attracting pollinators, and these may be followed by small blue-black berries that provide food for birds.

Height and Width of Lonicera Nitida Garden Clouds Purple Storm:
Lonicera Nitida Garden Clouds Purple Storm typically reaches 80 cm to 1 metre tall and wide, making it much more compact than standard Lonicera Nitida. Its slow, steady growth makes it very suitable for container planting, small hedges, or clipped shapes in modern gardens.

How hardy is Lonicera Nitida Garden Clouds Purple Storm?
Fully hardy across the UK, Boxleaf Honeysuckle Purple Storm tolerates cold winters and a wide range of soil types. It is an adaptable plant that thrives in both full sun and partial shade. Its foliage colour is strongest in brighter light, making sunny positions ideal for the most vibrant display.

Uses in Garden and/or Landscape:
This variety is highly versatile. Use it as a colourful alternative to box hedging, particularly in areas affected by box blight. It is excellent for edging paths, defining borders, or adding structure to mixed plantings. Its natural dome shape also lends itself well to container growing, where it can provide year-round colour and interest on patios or terraces. The deep purple tones contrast beautifully with ornamental grasses, silver-leaved plants, or golden foliage shrubs.

Care Tips:
Plant Lonicera Nitida Garden Clouds Purple Storm in fertile, well-drained soil. It is easy to maintain, requiring just a light trim once or twice a year to keep its shape. Water regularly during the first season to establish roots, then it becomes highly tolerant of drought. Apply an annual mulch to conserve moisture and boost growth. For the strongest foliage colour, position in full sun. Left untrimmed, it will form a naturally rounded shrub with minimal effort.