Honeysuckle Lonicera need Rejuvinating

[Towcester]

These were planted in pots just before we bought the house 8 years ago. I did nothing with them am ashamed to say but they always flowered but mostly on my garage roof where I couldn't see them.

This spring I added a galvanised wire trellis at the back of my border and in my impatience to fill it up I moved these honeysuckle and they looked good if a little sparse. I thought come summer when they flower I can really enjoy them. However they haven't flowered and look a bit sparse on foliage too.

What do you think? Should I repot, put them in the ground, any other ideas? The wall gets morning and midday sun, then shade from about 2pm.

[BlooberryBiskits]

I have the same plant - planted by previous owners I think it’s up to 20 years old

mine is v v vigorous and has a thicker main stem- it’s planted in the ground so honestly I would do that BUT in the winter when it’s dormant (eg Dec/Jan/Feb)

I’d then let it settle. Mine was really invigorated by getting a good trim at the start of this season but I would not prune a lot if also making the change of putting in the ground

looks a v healthy plant considering years in a pot though

[Towcester]

Ok, good to hear. To get a denser screen, do you think it would be ok to have another plant twining though it like an apple blossom clematis or a rambling rose? I say these two because these are planted in the ground either side though they are only a year or so old so still small but am sure in the next couple of years they will be twining around on that wire. Is that a problem or best to keep separate?

[Melroses]

Honeysuckles grow naturally in woodland and like to have their roots in the shade and to grow up into the sun.

I would plant them in the ground and provide their base with a bit of cover.

It is a good idea to plant other things that flower at different times and as long as they are not too vigorous you can keep them in control with a bit of judicious pruning.

I have an evergreen Lonicera japonica which gives good screening.

[BlooberryBiskits]

@Towcester : I think you’d get quite a dense screen if it’s in the ground. I would let the honeysuckle roots establish for several years before thinking about growing something up that plant, so recommend giving any other climbers their own support

good Idea to have things for interest at different times of year though

like PP mine is evergreen and gives good cover from March to Nov or so

[Billybagpuss]

It’s probably not too happy in a pot, can you plant it in the ground, give it a light prune and I’m sure it will take off.