When to prune honeysuckle?

[Brum Lady]

We have a well established honeysuckle in the front garden, but it has spread a bit too far. Is it OK to prune it now, and how drastic can it be?
TIA

[anitajayne18]

It does depend n the variety, if you have what is known as the 'Common Honeysuckle' this flowers on the previous summer's growth, so any pruning should be done as soon as the flowers fade, at the same time, remove some of the flowered stems in favour of newly-forming ones.
If you have the evergreen Lonicera. japonica, this flowers on the current season's growth. Clip it back hard with shears in early spring if it is growing against a wall.

Don't forget to feed the plant after pruning, this will encourage new growth, good luck

[Brum Lady]

Thanks anitajayne - I presume we must have the common one as it almost looks dead at the moment! There's no green whatsoever.
I guess you mean that we have to leave it until after it has flowered this year then, and cut it back afterwards?

[anitajayne18]

Hi Brum Lady,
Yes, don't touch it until it has finished flowering this, then you can get to work on it, Good luck A.J.