When it comes to pruning honeysuckle bushes, timing is crucial for their overall health and blooming performance. The best time to cut back honeysuckle depends on whether it is a deciduous or evergreen variety.
Deciduous honeysuckle bushes, such as the popular Lonicera periclymenum, should be pruned in late winter or early spring when they are in their dormant phase. This is typically around February to early March, before new growth starts to emerge. Pruning during this time allows the plant to focus its energy on producing new growth and encourages a flourishing blooming season.
During the late winter pruning session, you can be more severe with your cuts, removing any dead, damaged, or weak branches. Look for branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other and remove one of them to promote better air circulation within the plant. Additionally, you can selectively prune back some of the older branches to promote new growth and rejuvenate the plant.
On the other hand, evergreen honeysuckle varieties, like Lonicera japonica, benefit from a light trim in late summer or early autumn. This is because they tend to produce new growth during the current growing season, and pruning at this time helps shape the plant and maintain a tidy appearance. By lightly trimming back the overgrown branches, you can prevent the plant from becoming too leggy or unruly.
When pruning honeysuckle, it’s important to use sharp and clean pruning tools to avoid damaging the plant. Disinfecting your tools with a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water before and after each cut helps prevent the spread of disease.
To summarize, the best time to cut back honeysuckle depends on whether it is deciduous or evergreen. Deciduous honeysuckle should be pruned in late winter or early spring during its dormant phase, while evergreen varieties can be lightly trimmed in late summer or early autumn. Following these timing guidelines will promote new growth and contribute to a healthy and flourishing blooming season for your honeysuckle bushes.
