Lonicera rejuvenation advice

Hi all,

Looking for a little advice on what I think is a Lonicera hedge if possible please. As you can see from the attached image, it has younger leafy growth at the top but thin down below and ideally would like it to be denser foliage lower down.

Last spring I pruned it and I think I went harder on the left side where it touches the house and it appears it may have enjoyed it because it seems to be growing back with denser growth lower down, does this sound about right for Lonicera?

If so I was thinking this spring to cut back one larger stem from each plant at the base as highlighted. Is this the right way to do it? I got a little stung last year as I pruned a section of box hedge quite hard and it's not grown back despite the fact you're supposed to be able to treat them like this.

Thanks for the advice

 

That does look like lonicera. They are usually fairly amenable to pruning, but behind the green outer growth, there is often a tangle of bare stems, and if these are exposed, it doesn’t necessarily grow new shoots from them.

I’m not sure what to suggest in your case. I think you may struggle to get that lower portion to grow out into a green hedge shape. Left alone, it will carry on upwards. Pruning off the top, to reduce the height by a third, might encourage lower leaf coverage, but it might not, and you will have lost the bit growing well.

Tricky.

 

Thanks for the comments. The only thing that makes me think it will grow is that it has new growth from low down where it was cut back harder on the left side last year. What I can't remember is whether there was already young growth in this area and hence pruning it has made it come back. I think the only thing to do is do a test. Cut one of the indicated old stems back and see if comes back. Might have to be something done over a few years

 

Sounds like a plan. I would leave it for a month or so though. That way the coldest weather should be over and it will be ready to put on a growth spurt, so, with any luck, its energy will go to the pruned bits.

I have one that is bare on one side as in the summer a perennial grows up against it. I don’t think it will reclothe itself unfortunately.

 

I have never grown Lonicera nitida but looking at several of the hedge specialists’ websites, it can take hard pruning and respond well. Rather than having a tall straggly hedge, if it were mine, I’d take the risk of reducing the height of the entire hedge by half in order to stimulate fresh growth from below. I have done this on several evergreen shrubs in my garden, like Griselinia, Portuguese laurel and Arbutus. It’s important to get the timing right, just before new growth starts in spring, and to mulch afterwards with organic matter plus an organic fertiliser like blood fish and bone. Just removing one stem on a plant will have a limited effect in stimulating fresh growth from below.

 

This RHS article should help you @Mattyp.

Hedges: renovation / RHS

 

Ok thanks and thanks for the link. I think I might do something in-between. More drastic than I first suggested but I don't think I'll risk 50% off height as if it doesn't come back I'll have to put in a new hedge and creating a bigger job for myself. I might do one side one year then the other then the top as the RHS guide suggested but see how it looks after first year. Thank you again

 

The staging suggested in the RHS article is if you intend to reduce the hedge by more than 50% @Mattyp. I can understand your hesitancy, a gentler approach will give you time to see how the hedge responds. If something doesn’t look right in my garden, I like to see results quickly .

 

Cut it back as hard as you like they are more a less bomb proof these things , I've lost count how many I've butchered / ripped out this winter , they'll come back if you leave a little bit in the ground . I cut back a few week ago a huge one 5/6ft high by 9ft wide back to a stump and dug up 80% of the plant I have no doubt it will grow back and will be shaped up nicely next year . Looking at yours I'd be cutting it where about it forks which is about half way up .

 

And if it all goes pear-shaped, blame @Perki!

I agree they are tough plants. If you cut back by half and it regrows well, within about 3 yrs it should be roughly its current size. You’ll know by later this summer whether it is going to fall in line with your plan. If there is no sign of regeneration by then, you might have to replace it. Cuttings are very easy to do, if you want some insurance.

 

Thanks everyone, feel a bit more confident to tackle it now

 

It won't go pear-shaped, unless that's the shape you intend . Based on @Perki 's experience it will be fine .