Pruning honeysuckle

[Tizzi247]

I have just moved and have a couple of honeysuckle. There are a lot of new shoots, but also quite a bit of dead lookking leaves and branches. Is it ok to cut the dead bits off and when should I prune it properly and how ruthless should I be - I don't want to kill it as I love honeysuckle!

[Robinia]

The problem with honeysuckle is it sometimes looks more dead than it really is (bit like me!). You could tidy it up a little, cut out very spindly growth that snaps off easily but leave all thicker stems for now, they may sprout new shoots. That way you can see when it flowers (maybe even find out which variety it is if you take a good close up pic) & find out when it's best to prune it without losing them. It's one of my favourites too, hope you'll be happy in your new home & garden!

[ailie]

I wouldn't be too precious about it. All the honeysuckles I have inherited have been rampant growers. You should be able to prune it back to the shape/ position you want and it will probably appreciate the attention. Obviousy trace back stems to keep the main ones growing in a good strong position. I had one with main stem looking woody & thick like a tree trunk. My understanding is that if you shock a plant into thinking it is going to die, it will flower (ie kick start reproduction mechanism ) to survive. SO if that's right....whatever you do will be fine. It'll be like a haircut, it'll grow back quickly & smell fab, don't worry.

[Tizzi247]

Thank you both, I have cut a few of the dead bits off, but thought I'd better stop before I did too much harm (I am not a gardener!). I think I shall leave it alone now until the autumn.

Thank you for your good wishes Robinia - its not really a garden, more of a yard!

[Robinia]

That's very true ailie, I ignore a lot of so called rules in my own garden & I've hacked at my honeysuckles without killing them off. When it comes to giving advice to other people though I tend to be more cautious, I wouldn't want them to be staring at a dead plant & saying 'it was that awful woman on the AB who told me to do it!'
:o)

[ailie]

We'd never say that about you!
& lets face it, plants want to grow!
Messin with their roots would be another matter.
Isn't it nice to be able to get another opinion so easily with no obligation to carry it through or not.