japanese honeysuckle - general and transplanting help

11 years ago

So... Here I was thinking all spring that this was a rhododendron (at the advise of a friend)... Turns out, per responses to my post in the rhododendron forum, its actually a japanese honeysuckle (HA!).

Anyway, obviously it wants to climb and it looks like its trying to. So come fall I want to move it to where it can do that. I've read up on how to transplant (pretty basic, it seems. Dig it up and move). I just wanted to know if anyone had any suggestions/personal experience on not only moving it but general care. I know it can be pretty invasive so I'll need to tend to it to keep it tamed but any other suggestions for it would be very appreciated. I've read they can do sun and shade but any real-world experiences would really help. Being a new gardener you can/will see I am just FULL of questions!

Thanks again!!!

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Comments (8)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
I know it can be pretty invasive so I'll need to tend to it to keep it tamed

==>>> NO!!! ... if so.. you should get rid of it ...

you need a fuller ID ... the second name in the latin name ... did it flower this summer.. flower color would help delineate the type ..

some are problems.. get rid of them .. [none if this nonsense.. that you can tame the untamable .. because one day.. you will move and leave a nightmare ...]

and some are not..

otherwise.. move it in fall .... and keep it properly watered for the following summer.. and you should be all set..

they are not foo.. within the definition of foo foo ... [write that down] .. lol ...

a call to your county extension office.. might get you an opinion.. of whether they are invasive in your area ... up here in MI ... i dont think anyone would care.. as i am not aware they are a problem...

ken
terrene
11 years ago
Hi David, that does look like Lonicera japonica - japanese honeysuckle, and it is an invasive exotic (not native to US, and very aggressive such that it takes over and displaces native species). In my state this plant is prohibited from sale, distribution, and propagation.

I would remove it. The problem is, its seeds are spread by wind, and you can't really control its spread.

If you would like to grow a beautiful honeysuckle that is not invasive, try the native Lonicera sempervirens - coral honeysuckle, or one of its cultivars. Looks similar, but with prettier orange red flowers, and the hummers love it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wiki- Lonicera japonica
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Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
11 years ago
Hi & welcome to Gardenweb.

I think the only real-world experiences you'll hear about regarding this plant are how to kill it. Or sob stories from folks who didn't and are now sorry.

If you're determined to grow it, whatever you do should be fine. In fact, if you can convince it you don't want it, it should grow like crazy!
echinaceamaniac
11 years ago
I love these. The ones people are recommending don't smell good like these do. I've seen people grow these in their yards with no problem. It's easily pruned if you want it smaller. I've seen them pruned into a mounded shape like a shrub as well. Move it in the late fall when it's cooler. They also easily root from cuttings.
flora_uk
11 years ago
Just a small point. Lonicera japonica, in fact all Loniceras, have berries. The seed is distributed by birds and animals, not the wind.

I think there might be some confusion too over the difference between L japonica and L periclymenum and its garden cultivars. Both are highly scented but L periclymenum is more floriferous and less rampant so there is an alternative to Japanese honeysuckle if you want scent. There seem to be differing opinions as to whether it is invasive so I can't really judge that but it does seem to be less of a problem than JH. The plant in the picture could well be L periclymenum. The leaves fit and I think I can see some terminal flower buds at the ENDS of the shoots. JH has flowers all along the shoots plus they are sparser.
david883
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks, everyone!

First off... Ken, I'm in Michigan, too (near Ann Arbor).

It sort of bloomed (very pathetic blooms). They were at the ends of the shoots and they were a coral pink/yellow mix.

I'm still not sure what to do with it... I don't want it killing everything. But I also want something with the amazing honeysuckle scent, and the climbing variety. So my option there would be the lonicera periclymenum, right?

I really just don't want to destroy and displace everything with this one...
flora_uk
11 years ago
At the end of my post david883, I said that I think you might already have L periclymenum. If it flowers only at the ends of the shoots and not along their length, then that is what you have. Did you check to see if it does indeed have flower buds like I thought I could see?
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
11 years ago
Oh that's good. Flora would know better, so nevermind what I said, except the part about convincing it you don't want it. That usually works.

japanese honeysuckle - general and transplanting help

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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

terrene

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japanese honeysuckle - general and transplanting help

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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

terrene

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