Honeysuckle whats happening?
darren bishop
Posts: 6
Hi
I bought and planted some new mature honeysuck plants (Lonicera japonica Halliana). They have grown really well all through the summer, however that last month or two they have both been losing leaves from about 1.5m progressively down to the ground. the top shoots still look healthy. Is this normal? it looks a bit like it is slowly dying from ground up, but I'm no expert. Picture below
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Posts
they don't like it too hot and dry. if the top is healthy it's OK. Mine's very bare legged.
It looks as though you've got several stems there, I'd cut one, maybe two, back in the winter and you'll get more low growth.
Maybe I'll follow my own advice this year
In the sticks near Peterborough
I know exactly what you mean, nutcutlet. It's very difficult to take the plunge. I'm afraid I never have and I now have a nightmarish-looking mound of stems and leaves about 12 feet high and as much across. Fortunately, there is room for it and the perfume is fantastic all summer long.
Take heed Darren
In the sticks near Peterborough
i have the same issue with mine despite lots of watering the have shred their leaves but are side shooting so my thoughts are to prune and let it rest.
Hi, I posted a very similar problem last week. I was told that it was to do with feeding & watering?
If I prune it back hard this winter then maybe it will flourish again next year?
Has anyone else tackled the leaves dropping, bare stems but green tops issue by pruning it back hard?
As nutcutlet says, I'd just prune one or two hard back. That way you'll have the strong new growth without demoralising the plant completely.
Very strange, our Honeysuckles here in Cheshire have grown wonderfully this year with the exceptional summer, It flowered throughout late May and June and has now become back into flower with that incredible scent.
Perhaps your plants are too dry - did you water them during the hot weather as this is possibly the cause? Mine by the way is the Dutch variety.