Himalayan honeysuckle

Hi
First off, I'm very much the beginner gardener.
I have a himalayan honeysuckle that in the 5 years I've lived in this house I've never touched. I didn't even know what it was until a few months ago. It's very leggy and has no foliage until about 5 feet up. Directly in front of it is what I believe to be a 'red robin' photinia. It's pretty big and blocks the sun from getting to the himalayan honeysuckle, which I assume is why its so leggy. We did take the photinia back to about 5 feet tall from around 8 feet last spring.
I've read that himalayan honeysuckle can be cut back as far as leaving only 6 inches above the ground, but considering the photinia is so dominating, would this be too drastic? Would my best option be to give the himalayan honeysuckle a good cut but also to try to move it so its gets more sunlight?

 

Welcome to the forum!

I don't know the answer but I'm sure someone who knows will come along and help out

 

I tend to hack mine back to almost ground level each year.
I'd not try moving it if it's been there 5 yrs plus.

 

Thank you @pete, when is the best time of year to cut it back?

 

Now would be good.

 

The general rule with them is to cut back hard in the same way as Pete mentioned, down to about 6 inches, this will encourage a flush of new growth.

Another option is removing the weak and spindly 'canes', leaving a few stronger ones, this is less drastic but still tidies the shrub an encourages new growth from the base

 

Was reading an RHS book this morning and it suggested exactly as @pete and @Bilbo675 confirmed doing, and at this time of year. It also mentioned they are 'practically indestructable' so don't worry that you'll be harming them.

 

Thank you for all of your help. I'll get out there and get cutting.

 

had to look it up. Himalayan honeysuckle | Leycesteria formosa | Honeysuckle shrub: Gardening

 

"They also self seed quite freely so you'll always have a backup"

Easy from cuttings too

 

Many people say it's somewhat a thug of a plant and can overtake gardens, but have yet to see this happen, even where its been establlished for many years.

Maybe the heavy clay soil around here keeps it subdued!?!