Honeysuckle Problems – No Flowers

Honeysuckle, known for its delightful fragrance and beautiful blooms, is a favorite amongst gardeners. However, there’s a common grievance that occasionally crops up: “Why are my honeysuckles not flowering?” If you’ve ever found yourself perplexed by this issue, you’re not alone. Let’s take a closer look at some possible causes and solutions.

Potential Reasons for Honeysuckles Not Flowering:

1. Inadequate Sunlight: Honeysuckles typically thrive in full sun. If your plant isn’t receiving enough sunlight, this could be the reason behind the absence of flowers. Ensure your honeysuckle is planted in an area that gets ample sunlight throughout the day.
2. Young Plants: If you have newly planted honeysuckles, patience might be your answer. Plants might produce flowers in their first season, but in many cases, they could take up to three seasons to mature and bloom adequately.
3. Pruning Practices: Improper pruning can significantly impact your honeysuckle’s ability to bloom. Varieties like ‘Dropmore Scarlet’ honeysuckle, for instance, flower on the laterals produced from the growth of the previous season. If these are pruned, you might be inadvertently eliminating the next season’s flowers.
4. Excessive Fertilization: While it might sound counterintuitive, too much fertilizer can inhibit flowering. Honeysuckles require average soil fertility with adequate moisture during their growing season. If you’ve been generous with fertilization, consider scaling back.
5. Winter Damage: Some honeysuckle cultivars might be less winter-hardy than others. For example, varieties other than “Dropmore Scarlet” could be more susceptible to winter damage, impacting their flowering potential in the subsequent season.

Solutions to Encourage Flowering:

1. Feeding: Giving your honeysuckle the right nutrients can make all the difference. A high-potash feed has been recommended by experts. Flower or tomato food, which is typically high in potash, can also be beneficial.
2. Age Factor: Remember that many honeysuckles, including native varieties, flower on the previous year’s growth. This means you might not see flowers on the fresh growth of the current year. In such cases, patience is the key.
3. Pruning: Refrain from pruning the new growth, as this will bear the flowers in the next year. If your honeysuckle has long branches, you might consider slightly shortening the ends to encourage side shoots.
4. Soil and Moisture: While honeysuckles are woodland plants that tend to prefer drier soil, especially during summer, ensure that the roots don’t get too wet. On the flip side, if the base becomes too dry, the honeysuckle might be susceptible to powdery mildew. Striking the right balance in soil moisture is essential.

In conclusion, while it might be disheartening to see a non-flowering honeysuckle despite its healthy foliage, understanding its needs and making slight adjustments in care can set it on the path to produce those mesmerizing blooms. After all, the scent of honeysuckle on a summer evening is well worth the wait!