Non-flowering Honeysuckle

Lorraine56

I planted a healthy Dutch Honeysuckle 'Serotina' in April and was therefore expecting a good flush of scented flowers this Summer.  It has put on height (6/8'), clambering up the trellis on the front of the house (south-west facing) but alas no flowers.  It has been regularly watered and fed since planting.  The lower half of the plant is now yellowing and the leaves rae falling.  Should I prune right back and hope for better results next year?  Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

Dovefromabove

Don't prune off the new growth, this will produce the flowers next year - it would be a bit much to expect it to flower  the first year of being planted out - it will have been quite small and it flowers on the previous year's growth.

Check that it's roots aren't too wet.  Remember that it's a woodland plant, and by it's nature woodland soil tends towards being dry in the summer as the trees take up most of the moisture.  However it is a fine line because if it gets too dry at the base you (or rather the honeysuckle)  might get powdery mildew - but that's just one of the things you have to put up with occasionally in order to get those glorious blooms and sensational perfume on summer evenings - but you'll have to wait until next year.

Oh, you might want to shorten the ends of any long branches a bit, just to encourage sideshoots. 

Lorraine56

Thank you very much for your expert advice.  I will leave well alone this year and look forward to next.