How to Trim Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle flowers bloom in a variety of colors

Honeysuckle plants, which take form as either twining vines or shrubs, produce fragrant flowers ranging in color from white to red that attract both butterflies and hummingbirds. Planting honeysuckle near a trellis, wall or fence provides support for the fast-growing vines and allows the gardener to influence the direction of growth. Depending on the climate of the growing site, honeysuckle blooms from spring to mid-summer. It is best to trim honeysuckle right after it flowers, so in late summer or early fall.

Things You'll Need

• Hand shears
• Gloves

Instructions

1. Decide for what reasons you need to trim your plant so you can plan the cuts. If you're growing honeysuckle along a trellis or fence, you need to make specific cuts to the plant to encourage growth in the desired direction. If the plant is growing too large, trim the oldest vines and branches throughout the plant.

2. Cut away dead or damaged branches and vines. Make the cut about one-fourth inch above a bud so that the plant blooms the following season. Cut above buds facing in the direction you want the plant to grow.

3. Thin out interlaced and crossing branches or vines. Carefully loosen the tangled areas and cut the branches and vines one by one. Cut off about one-third of the live growth. If honeysuckle vines have spread on the ground, you may trim them using a lawn mower.

Tips & Warnings

• Choose the right set of shears for the job. A pair of regular hand shears will work for vines and most shrubs. If the branches of a shrub are more than one-half inch thick, you may need to use a pair of lopping shears.

• Some species of honeysuckle produce mildly poisonous berries. Be cautious, especially if you have children or pets, and contact your local poison control center for more information. Some species of honeysuckle, such as Japanese or Hall's honeysuckle and Morrows or Amur honeysuckle, are invasive and should be grown with caution in gardens in North America.

References

• LovetoKnow Garden
• Proper Pruning Techniques
• Pruning Honeysuckle Vine

Resources

• American Association of Poison Control Centers