- 1). Prune frost-damaged growth in spring, after new growth has started. First remove all dead and damaged growth, cutting back to a branch juncture or leaf if possible.
- 2). Trim the total plant next. Remove just one-third to one-half of upper stems and branches, on both shrubs and vines, to encourage strong flowering on the season’s new growth.
- 3). Cut honeysuckle stems back to 12 to 24 inches, using the loppers, if the plant is severely overgrown. This will stimulate rapid new vegetative growth, but possibly no flowers for the first season.
- 4). Water the honeysuckle plants thoroughly, completely saturating the root area. The newly pruned plants will be stimulated to start replacing vegetation, and need water to do it.
- 5). Spread organic mulch -- pine straw, pine bark, grass clippings or shredded leaves -- around the vase of the vine or shrubs to conserve water and deter weeds.
- 6). Feed the honeysuckle vine or shrub with 10-10-10 fertilizer, but only after leaves on the first flush of new growth reach full size.
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