PRUNING AND CONTROLLING HONEYSUCKLE LONICERA PERICLYMENUM 'SCENTSATION'

Today was the day for pruning back my honeysuckle which, if allowed, takes liberties.  Flowering was over and it was starting to form those lovely red berries but I had to sacrifice them (hopefully not all of them) for the sake of having plenty of flowers next year (a joy for me, the neighbours, and more importantly for pollinating insects).  With my trusty secateurs and hanging onto the fence with one hand to maintain my balance, I cut back the climber by approximately one-third or so—probably moreso. 

Honeysuckle: Lonicera periclymenum 'Scentsation' forming berries





Although the honeysuckle that I grow, Lonicera periclymenum 'Scentsation' (RHS link), is not a rampant honeysuckle compared to some, I do have to keep it under control.  That's especially so now that my old 6ft (182cm) fencing has been replaced with 5ft (152cm) fencing that allows light and air to pass through.  The honeysuckle is trying to find its way over onto the sunnier side of the fence from where my neighbours, they told me, also get a wonderful display.  That's ok, but the climber is actually trying to get through the fence as well as over it, and that can only cause problems in time.





This type of honeysuckle (periclymenum) produce flowers on the previous year's growth and so it is important to encourage new growth in late summer ready for next year.  I chose today because flowering was early this year and is just about finished but I understand late August and September is ok too. 

Honeysuckle: Lonicera periclymenum Scentsation on 6ft (182cm) fencing