Nursing a honeysuckle back to health

Hi

My L. periclymenum lost a lot of its leaves due to a leaf fungus in the summer. It has recovered fairly well and is flowering at the top, but the lower part of the shrub is very twiggy, albeit with a few leaf buds opening.

Is it better to wait and see or should I prune back next spring?

 

It's a bit late in the year to cut it hard back now, because the new growth would probably get hammered by the first frosts. Suggest that you cut it down next Spring and feed and water generously. If you don't mind spraying, a fortnightly dose of fungicide will prevent re-infection, as long as it's not too dry at the roots.

 

Thank you for your excellent advice. How far back should I prune - I've read to within 2 feet - assuming there are buds to prune back to?

 

It's hard to kill a honeysuckle You could take it all down to 24" but bear in mind that it flowers on old wood, so if it flowers at all on the new shoots, it will be late! I'd be inclined to take out half the existing growth low down but leave the other half to flower and then prune that out after flowering.

 

Thanks again.