How to grow Honeysuckle

Dig a wide, shallow hole about the same size as the root ball and at the same level as the purchased container. Place the plant into the hole. Backfill with soil as needed and gently press down on the soil to even out the surface.

Water the plant weekly and add a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base. Honeysuckle thrives in moist but well-drained soil. The soil must be kept evenly moist during the first year of planting. After that, rainfall and weekly irrigation with about one inch of water during dry spells is sufficient.

Most honeysuckle varieties need the full sun on their leaves but less on the roots. Mulch the roots and try to plant the vine in a place with at least six hours of sunlight. In hot regions, ensure some afternoon shade.

When planting the vine, amend the soil with compost instead of adding fertilizer, as too much fertilizer increases foliage and decreases flower production. A general-purpose fertilizer can be added when the plant is more mature.

The best time to prune honeysuckle is right after the flowers drop. The lighter the pruning, the more flowers you'll have next spring. Honeysuckle blooms on old or new wood, with some varieties, like the Major Wheeler, blooming on both. Types like the Common Honeysuckle, which flower on old wood, should be pruned in summer after the bloom period ends, while types that bloom on new wood, like the Trumpet Honeysuckle, should be pruned in late winter. Use pruning shears to correctly and effectively trim the plant.