I bought a honesuckle a couple of weeks ago, and I'm pleased to say
that it's still alive!

However, I'm trying to train it to climb up a 6 inch diameter metal
pole.

I've attached about 7 vertical wires to the pole, and I was hoping it
would wrap around and hug the pole, and use the wires as 'back-up'
support, but it is keen to coil around the wires instead.

Am I fighting a losing battle by constantly uncoiling the stems from
the wires and tying them in around the pole?

Also, as the base of the honeysuckle is meant to be in shade, would it
be a good idea to plant something in the same pot (2ft wide) that
would create that shade, and if so which plant? Or would that
interfere with the honeysuckle properly establishing itself?

DH