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Yellower climber leaves

I have 2 honeysuckle plants. 1 planted in the ground this year. 1 in a pot.  Full sun. When it’s out. Both plants have started with yellow leaves. Is this normal for this time of year or is there something wrong. 😕

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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited October 2020
    Honeysuckles are plants of damp hedgerows and woodland fringes where they have their feet in the damp shade and their faces in the sunshine.  They need shady deep cool root runs and a lot of water.  They are very seldom happy in a pot or in a dry spot which appears to be the case of the one with its roots under the decking.

    They need to be replanted in suitable situations if they are to survive. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Oh dear. Ok thank you. Do you do you think I could replace the one under the decking with a clematis? Am I best moving now before winter? 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Most clematis need very similar conditions.  

    I wonder if @Fairygirl has any suggestions ... I've given her a nudge ... 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - all the wrong things for honeysuckle unfortunately  :)

    How would you be accessing the plant under the decking, and what conditions does it have there? That will determine what you plant. 
    Plenty of clematis to pick from, but you'll need to get in to feed/water etc . A close up of that area will help.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Caroline-19Caroline-19 Posts: 23
    edited October 2020
    Hi fairygirl.

    it’s full soil underneath. I thought the decking over it would keep the roots cool.
    i’m sure my husband would be more than pleased to pull up a couple of boards for me to access to dig it  up - eek. 
    I really would love another climber there though 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    edited October 2020
    Ok. Not a lot of room for access, but if you were able to make that access hole a wee bit bigger, it would definitely help. A proper bed there would also give you a bit more scope - some lower growing planting and/or bulbs for example, which gives you extra interest.
    We had a similar bed in a previous house, but we made it quite sizeable. It was shadier, but the plants nearest the front got a bit more sun. I had a Fatsia and a clematis Rouge Cardinal in it, which I trained around the back door. I had cyclamen on th ebit right at the back near the house wall.
    I don't think I have any photos which show it clearly, but I'll have a look. I think my daughter might be in the only ones I have!
    There's certainly plenty of clems which will suit. If the ground's on the drier side, and it may well be as water won't get in easily, some of the early ones would be great. Alpinas and macropetalas for example. They're also very easy, as they don't really need any pruning. You might also be able to have one of the evergreen types, as they need warmer conditions. Easy enough to feed with liquid food, and manually water, as it will be tricky to add  compost to benefit the soil structure.
    The deck will actually keep the soil warmer, not cooler, so the opposite of what you were trying to achieve.  ;)

    This is the only one I have. The bed was about 18 inches wide, and about 4 feet front to back. It was the full depth/height of the deck [about three feet]  open to the ground below, and all lined, so it was a raised bed, with a good volume of soil. 


    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • That’s great advice thank you very much.  I will definitely do that I don’t want to lose the plant.  
    I will also plant the honeysuckle in the pot in a nice semi shade area of the garden in front of the fence.  
    Everyone is very helpful on this forum. 👍🏻
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Glad to help ... I thought @Fairygirl would have some good suggestions too. 
    Let us know how you get on 😊 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Have a look at the specialist clematis sites - Taylor's Clematis, Thorncroft and Hawthornes for suitable clematis. Be aware though - there's hundreds  ;)
    I've also had very good [clematis]  plants from the rose specialist Peter Beales. I don't know anything about roses, but I think the limited access makes it a wee bit harder for that site. If you made it bigger, you'd have more scope for other plants in general  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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