How to Prune a Honeysuckle Vine

Honeysuckle vine is popular among many gardeners because it is easy to grow. These vigorous vines climb readily and can even completely cover the side of a house if they are growing in an environment that is suited for them. Honeysuckle vines have a beautiful blossom that attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
Honeysuckle vines are known to overtake a garden if not pruned regularly. The vines should be pruned while they are dormant for best results. Learn how to prune a honeysuckle vine to keep it growing properly.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Garden shears
• Garden gloves
• Barrel or bucket (for trimmings)

1. Examine the way the honeysuckle vines are growing. If they are growing around other plants in your garden, they may actually strangle these plants if not cut back. When pruning honeysuckle vines, it is best to prune aggressively to keep the vines growing properly in the garden without interfering with other plants.

2. Cut back a large part of the honeysuckle vines to control the growth. The best way to control a honeysuckle vine in the garden is to prune it to the point that you want it to be. Cutting back the vine to approximately 2 feet above the ground would be a reasonable amount to prune. The honeysuckle vine will regrow quickly after its dormant period.

3. Water the pruned honeysuckle vine well after pruning.

4. Place a generous amount of mulch around the base of the plant to protect it during the remainder of its dormant period.

5. Pinch the tips of the honeysuckle vine's new growth when it begins to grow the next season. This will promote a more bushy and compact growth pattern instead of the vine growing far and wide and interfering with other plants.

References

• Ortho's All about Pruning; Judy Lowe; 1998