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Honeysuckle - what to do next?

WatsoniaWatsonia Posts: 134
in Plants
I inherited a Honeysuckle Lonerica japonica repens (according to the label left on the plant). In the two plus years we have been here it never has look right. The leaves never look very healthy and it had powdery mildew every year. No Flowers and quite scraggly. I tried pruning it quite hard last year but it hasn’t really developed. So, what’s next? Move it? Feed it? Wait a a bit longer? It gets midday and afternoon sun and it is in clay soil. Any advice appreciated.

Posts

  • CeresCeres Posts: 2,698
    Some honeysuckles just don't like certain gardens. I have rampant Halliana(sadly there is no cure) that happily romps all over the place but other varieties of honeysuckle just refuse to flourish. It could be that your plant just isn't happy and you would be better trying to grow another climber instead. Sometimes it just isn't worth the hassle to toil over a plant that is obviously not happy and subject to powdery mildew into the bargain.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    If it gets powdery mildew every year my guess is that it's too dry at the roots.  Honeysuckles (and most clematis) need a lot of water, especially if they're planted near the foot of a fence which will make a 'rain shadow' and prevent most rain from reaching the root area.

    Try two buckets of water poured gently over the root area at least twice a week from the beginning of April until mid September. (whether it rains or not), more frequently in warm dry spells.  If that doesn't make it look happier then I'd give up on it.

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





  • WatsoniaWatsonia Posts: 134
    Thank you both. I have a couple of other Honeysuckles in the garden in different locations and only one of them is doing well. Maybe honeysuckle and me just don’t go on. Our neighbour has a lot of bamboo growing right on the other side of the fence and I wonder if that might be contributing to the issue. The watering regime is a good idea, I noticed that it is a rather dry bed (ironically located right next to our pond). I hate giving up on plants as long as they are still showing some signs of life. So I’ll try the watering for the next few months and take a final decision in autumn. If it doesn’t improve, that’s it.
  • PianoplayerPianoplayer Posts: 624
    The fact that it is competing with the bamboo for both water and nutrition probably means you are best to pamper it a bit with some food as well! I am sure that will make a difference.
  • WatsoniaWatsonia Posts: 134
    Good idea, I already mulched it generously with well rotted manure (which I had copious amount off this year). I’ll make sure I feed properly this year. Fingers crossed.
  • K67K67 Posts: 2,506
    I have the same honeysuckle and the same problem, I've moved it twice so if it doesn't pick up this year it's out.
    The only one I planted that I had success with was an orange flowered variety but sadly unscented and in other garden I inherited a beauty but again without any scent!
     
  • AuntyRachAuntyRach Posts: 5,291
    I have a similar issue with a Honeysuckle - grand idea of mine to help cover a fence. The leaves start nicely about this time of year but then, powdery mildew and then rubbish. If mine does the same this year, it’s out. I thought it would be easy, as in my last house I had a rampant, bullet-proof one. Maybe it’s just the conditions and it’s not the right plant. 
    My garden and I live in South Wales. 
  • WatsoniaWatsonia Posts: 134
    In a way I’m glad it isn’t just me, but I’m sorry to hear about troubles too. It looked very nice as I googled it, apparently evergreen and a RHS Award of Garden Merit. It doesn’t behave like that for me.
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