"Peter Stockdale" wrote in message
...

"Bob H" wrote in message
...
Brian wrote:
"Bob H" wrote in message
...

About 3 years ago we planted 2 honeysuckle plants/climbers into 2
planters with a trellis at the back. The first year of growth produced
an abundance of shoots and leaves with some flowers. The second year it
did not do very well at all. Not many shoots/leaves, and no flowers. So
last backend I cut both plants right back and hoped they would do
better
this year, but they did not. Again like last year, no flowers and not
many shoots/leaves. Today I was about to start cutting them back again,
when I noticed some small blue berries on them, so I stopped cutting
and
left them for the birds to eat.

Now then, should I have cut both plants back in the late autumn, and
why
did they not do well last year. Also as this is the first time I have
seen berries on them, is this a normall thing. ie first year did well
second year no flowers, third year no flowers, but berries.
How can I get them to do well again next year? I have given them some
plant food last year, and also placed some rotted garden waste around
the base of the plants.

Thanks

--
Bob H
Leeds UK


You would perhaps be better to leave any pruning until the spring when the
shoots from the existing stems will hopefully be evident.
You can then judge which is dead wood and prune that out only.
Apart from pruning out deadwood, the plant is better left unpruned I
believe, until it has filled it's allotted space - then only a gentle tip
prune is required to keep it in check.

Regards,
Pete
www.thecanalshop.com


I have had a plethora of berries on my honeysuckles this year but flowering
was pathetic
I find that Honeysuckles bush out best when cut down to about 1ft high every
few years otherwise they get all woody and leggy and flower only at the top