How to Prune Orange Flowered Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle vines and shrubs are not only stately in appearance, but their generous fragrance makes growing them an absolute joy for many. They do, however, require some care and maintenance, which, when done correctly, will keep your vine healthy. Proper pruning is one of the most important things you can do for your honeysuckle. Most honeysuckles require the same pruning techniques. There is really no difference in pruning an orange flower variety versus any other type of honeysuckle. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Healthy orange flower honeysuckle vine
- Gardening gloves
- Hand pruning shears
- Lopping shears
- Pole pruner (only if experienced with its usage)
Instructions
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Cut the honeysuckle branches back before you prune. Cut, using lopping shears, until the plant is no more than 24 inches tall. Cut back branches that appear to grow away from the main portion of the vine. These serve no purpose and can actually sap needed nutrients from healthier parts of the honeysuckle.
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Prune the honeysuckle vine or shrub after cutting back the branches. Prune only after the leaves begin to fall off during the fall or right before it starts to bloom in the warmer spring and summer months. Prune only minimally, removing only dead or dying flowers, during this period to foster new growth.
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Remove the dead blooms, using your pruning shears, to encourage new flowering when warmer temperatures begin to arrive. Cut back any tangled stems to allow much-needed sunlight to hit your vine or shrub.
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Tips & Warnings
Try pinching the tops of the honeysuckle blooms. It can give your vine or shrub a fuller look for prime summer months.
If, after you have finished pruning, you wish to apply a fertilizer, use a minimal application of 10-10-10 fertilizer.
Only lightly prune a young honeysuckle vine or shrub. It will not be old enough for more extensive pruning until it is about 2 years of age.
If you use a pole pruner on a thicker honeysuckle vine, stand back. People have injured themselves by falling on top of them. If your honeysuckle vine is large and you are utilizing a pole pruner, recruit a second set of hands to assist you.
