Whats this bush?

Twa_Pehs · June 2023

Hi everyone. I have been trying to ID this bushy thing for a little while with no luck. Plant ID apps are giving my multiple different answers.

Until a few weeks ago it was fairly compact but its had a massive growth spurt since the summer finally kicked in. This section of the garden needs a good clear out and a tidy and its stopping me from getting in about things.

Is it something I can prune it back at this time of year without doing any harm or should I leave it alone for now?

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/oa/o7kn0i7tpxwa.jpg

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/1k/6wwyif7nj3aa.jpg

nutcutlet · June 2023

It's a Honeysuckle

Fairygirl · June 2023

Agree with @nutcutlet. You might need to set up some suitable supports for it to climb onto, unless there's something else substantial nearby for it to scramble up and through - shrubs, trees etc. That's always better for them than trying to grow them against a wall or fence

plant pauper · June 2023

I got that one but being 0 for 1 since my return I just kept quiet. 😕
I have a similar one in a pot looking for somewhere to clamber. Good tip @Fairygirl, I was going to try it on the bane of my life bank.

Liriodendron · June 2023

It looks as if it used to have a tree to climb up (dead stump visible behind it). Agreed, it's a honeysuckle - a climber, which won't flower if you prune it like a shrub. If you want to keep it, provide it with something to climb up (wires or trellis perhaps) and leave it to do its thing for a bit. But if it's in the wrong place, you might have to dig it out.

Twa_Pehs · July 2023

Thanks for the ID and for the advice.

Its further from that fence than it looks in the photo so I think some other support is best. The tree stump is about a foot away an I think if I let it climb that I will quickly have a very lop sided odd looking plant.

If I made a pyramid type frame out of canes like the ones used for peas would that be enough support? Or will it require something more substantial?

I was going to bite the bullet and give it a trim back so that I can get that area tidied out but just this morning I have spotted the start of some flower buds so I will leave it be for now and see what happens.

Fairygirl · July 2023

The stump isn't big enough. As @Liriodendron said - it will have used the tree, but that's no longer there. Canes won't do - these get very, very big, although there are a couple of smaller types, but it's more likely to be one of the usual ones which cover sheds and outbuildings easily, or scramble through large hedges.

It would be perfectly normal for it to be a foot or more away from the support too - that's standard for planting a climber if it's going to be climbing another living plant. They need room to establish the roots without competition from anything else

GardenerSuze · July 2023

@Twa_Pehs You have mentioned how rapidly it has grown and canes won't be strong enough. Good that yoy have noticed the flower buds at least you will get to see what you have to can make a judgement. Tree roots might also be a problem when looking for something for it to climb up. In the wild they do scramble around but in an average garden it isn't practical.

Twa_Pehs · July 2023

Thanks for all of he advice. I am planning on getting a nice sturdy obelisk this weekend and i'll get that installed to give it something to clamber. Once thats done I will let it do its thing for a bit and see if it flowers.

Whats this bush?

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