Pruning Honeysuckle

[Natalie]

When do I do it? I'm in WI, it's starting to feel fallish. I have a line of 20-25 honeyrose honeysuckle that apparently used to make a hedge, but is now overgrown. I'd like it to be hedgey again.

 

[injunjoe]

I do not know.
I would think it would be to late to trim.
There would be lots of tender new growth come winter.
I am far south so I am not sure about your climate, and growing conditions.
Some one will advise you!

Good luck.

 

[bid]

I would prune it after it flowers next year. You will probably have to prune pretty hard, say 1/4 to 1/3 of the plant, and it may take a year or two to get it back to a more manageable, attractive shape.

 

[Natalie]

Thanks! I think they have potential to be great again, just need some love!

 

[injunjoe]

Thanks! I think they have potential to be great again, just need some love!

Just an idea but pick a spot to take pictures of them now, during fall,winter, after winter, and spring. All from the same spot. Would make for a great slide show .

 

[patandchickens]

I agree, better not to do it this year because you may get weak sappy growth that croaks overwinter (unless you live somewhere that's already had its first regular frost of the season, then it'd be ok... but you probably don't)

As far as I can recall, honeysuckle mostly blooms on old wood. If yo udon't want to lose blooms for one year, you would want to wait til the main flush of flowering is over to prune it. OTOH if you can deal with a year with not so many flowers, and want it to bushy-out sooner, trim it in late winter before it starts into growth (or just *as* it's starting into growth, if there are significant question-marks in your mind as to which parts survived the winter and which did not).

Good luck, have fun,

Pat