Pruning honeysuckle (Lonicera) is essential for maintaining healthy growth, encouraging abundant flowers, and controlling its spread. Different types of honeysuckle, whether they are climbing varieties like Lonicera periclymenum (common honeysuckle) or bush varieties like Lonicera fragrantissima (winter honeysuckle), have specific pruning needs. Below is a guide to pruning various Lonicera varieties.
Pruning Climbing Honeysuckle Varieties
1. Lonicera periclymenum (Common Honeysuckle)
When to Prune: Late winter to early spring (February to March)
How to Prune:
- Initial Pruning (Year 1): After planting, cut back the main stems to about 30-60 cm above the ground. This encourages strong, bushy growth from the base.
- Annual Pruning: Each year, cut back about one-third of the oldest stems to the ground level. This promotes new, vigorous growth that will produce more flowers. Also, remove any dead, damaged, or diseased stems.
- Shaping: Thin out congested growth to improve air circulation and light penetration, which helps reduce the risk of disease. Trim back any overlong stems to keep the plant within its desired space.
2. Lonicera japonica (Japanese Honeysuckle)
When to Prune: Early spring (March to April) or after flowering
How to Prune:
- Control Growth: Lonicera japonica can be very vigorous and invasive, so it’s crucial to control its growth by cutting back hard each year. Cut back the entire plant by about one-third each spring to keep it manageable.
- Rejuvenation Pruning: If the plant becomes too large or overgrown, you can perform a more severe pruning by cutting all stems back to 60-90 cm above the ground in early spring. This will rejuvenate the plant but may reduce flowering that season.
3. Lonicera sempervirens (Trumpet Honeysuckle)
When to Prune: Late winter to early spring (February to March)
How to Prune:
- Maintenance Pruning: Prune lightly to remove dead or weak stems and to shape the plant. Cut back any growth that is out of control or straying from the support structure.
- Encouraging Flowers: This variety flowers on old wood, so avoid heavy pruning of older stems unless necessary. Focus on light trimming and removing the oldest stems every few years to encourage new growth.
Pruning Bush Honeysuckle Varieties
1. Lonicera fragrantissima (Winter Honeysuckle)
When to Prune: Right after flowering in late winter to early spring (February to March)
How to Prune:
- After Flowering: Prune immediately after flowering to avoid cutting off the next season’s blooms. Cut back the flowered shoots to a strong pair of buds lower down on the stem.
- Thinning: Remove any weak, dead, or damaged branches to open up the plant and allow light and air to penetrate the interior. This also reduces the risk of disease.
- Rejuvenation Pruning: Every few years, remove one-third of the oldest stems at the base to rejuvenate the plant and encourage fresh growth.
2. Lonicera nitida (Shrubby Honeysuckle)
When to Prune: Late winter to early spring (February to March) or after flowering
How to Prune:
- Shaping: Lonicera nitida is often grown as a formal hedge, so regular trimming is necessary to maintain its shape. Trim lightly in spring and summer to keep the plant tidy.
- Hard Pruning: If the shrub becomes too large or leggy, you can cut it back hard in early spring before new growth begins. This may result in fewer flowers that season but will encourage a denser, more compact plant.
General Tips for Pruning Honeysuckle
- Sterilize Tools: Always clean and sterilize your pruning tools before and after use to prevent the spread of disease.
- Support Structure: For climbing varieties, make sure the plant is properly supported with a trellis, fence, or other structure. Train new shoots onto the support as they grow.
- Watering and Feeding: After pruning, water the plant well and consider applying a balanced fertilizer to support vigorous new growth.
Final Thoughts
Pruning honeysuckle is essential for keeping these vigorous plants healthy and floriferous. Whether you have a climbing variety that needs regular thinning and training, or a bush type that benefits from post-flowering pruning, following the right steps will ensure your honeysuckle thrives year after year. Regular maintenance helps control growth, prevents disease, and encourages an abundance of beautiful, fragrant flowers.