If your honeysuckle bushes look like they’re stuck in slow motion for the first few years after planting, you’re not alone.
Many gardeners notice their shrubs barely growing for three to five years, and it’s often not the plant’s fault. The real issue usually comes down to nutrition.
September is the perfect time to step in, as the plant is quietly preparing next year’s buds right now.
Strengthening Honeysuckle Before Winter
Autumn is a crucial season for honeysuckle. While it’s no longer pushing out shoots, the plant is busy storing energy and fortifying itself for colder months. To help, gardeners can give it an organic boost.
One of the best choices is well-rotted horse manure spread around the base of the shrub and gently worked into the soil.
This natural feeding system works slowly but effectively—nutrients break down over winter and fuel the shrub in spring, giving it the strength to grow vigorously and produce flower buds.
⚠️ A word of caution: never use fresh manure, as it can burn delicate roots and encourage fungal problems.
Why Autumn Feeding Matters More Than You Think
Many people assume feeding is only a spring task, but honeysuckle needs support earlier.
By autumn, the plant’s focus shifts from growing shoots to toughening up its wood and preparing for winter dormancy.
Extra potassium and phosphorus in the soil at this stage make all the difference, helping the bush survive frost and bounce back faster when the weather warms up.
The Next Step: Pruning in Spring
Feeding is only half the story. By the time spring rolls around, honeysuckle tends to grow thick and tangled.
To keep it healthy and productive, gardeners should prune after the first winter of fruiting.
The goal is to remove weak or crowded shoots, leaving the strongest ones in place.
This thinning process lets sunlight reach the inner branches and gives the shrub room to develop plenty of flower buds, which translates to a more generous berry harvest come summer.