Old honeysuckle hedge needs reviving

17 years ago

When I bought this house I inherited an old honeysuckle hedge that is mostly dead twigs at the bottom with green leaves on the top 1/3. This is a privacy hedge and I don't want to chop it down.

Is there any way to revive this hedge so I have green throughout?

If not, can I cut away the dead twigs on the bottom to plant something else that will cover the dead twigs and eventually become a new hedge?

Many thanks for your help.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

Heathen1
17 years ago
You could thin it out... that might help.
Dick_Sonia
17 years ago
You need to use a hedge trimmers to slant the hedge top to bottom. Set some string guides up to help you know where to cut. The hedge should have a "Christmas tree-shape" when viewed in cross-section. When hedges are allowed to assume a columnar or boxy shape, the lower part of the hedge dies out from sunlight attrition. From the plants point of view, if there are leaves that aren't capturing enough sun to make a positive photosythesis contribution, then they aren't worth the allocation of resources required to keep them alive. You want the sides of your hedge to be like the sides of a football stadium -- every seat has a good view...every leaf can "see" the sky.
Related Discussions
New house, old hedge, how can I revive it?
Q
Comments (15)
OK Ken - back down :-) I was composing my response while the OP responded so missed the part about fertilizing to offset shearing. Agree that is not a valid reason for fertilizing but to completely dismiss the need for fertilizing, especially if the garden (therefore the plant, any mulching and the soil) has been neglected for an extended period of time is not valid either. Soils often need to be refreshed with nutrients, either via a good organic mulch or with fertilization - necessary nutrients are not present endlessly in unlimited quantities. They become depleted overtime, especially with a mature but untended garden. And "renovation pruning" is not a panacea for all shrubs. Generally that method is used in reference to deciduous flowering shrubs - broadleaved evergreens seldom respond well uniformly to that method and hedge plants in particular are typically approached differently with regards to pruning. Not trying to be contrary, merely accurate :-))
...See More
Need Dense Fast-Growing Evergreen for Formal Hedge in NC
Q
Comments (5)
Simplest solution is to buy more mature(larger) specimens. You didn't mention a budget for this project. You don't mention the depth of area you are allowing for this planting. If you have unlimited space and good air flow you might consider staggering your row, every other one two ft. forward. I've done this and the shrubs grow much bushier. A good weeping hose placed between the front and back staggered bushes gives regular watering if you put it on a timer. The roots of the shrubs have more room to spread for nutrients and water done this way. And, each 'indent' gives you a marvelous spot to tuck some color like a Miss Huff lantana which will come back every year. I wouldn't tuck something like hydrangea in the indents ...they fight to grab water from the evergreens. I'd use hollies, but not Burfords.
...See More
honeysuckle problem
Q
Comments (2)
I have cut my honeysuckle vines down almost to the ground and I am in a cold zone 6 and they come back with even more vigor. Our native honeysuckles are pretty forgiving and can take a hard pruning. One of my honeysuckles, the Dropmore Scarlet got hit very hard by aphids this year like Steve's but mine never really did fully recover well so the other day I cut it right down to about 6 inches from the ground. I just add4ed the Gold Flame this year so I will wait a year or two before pruning it unless it gets hit by aphids. Penny
...See More
Need Dense Fast-Growing Evergreen for Formal Hedge in NC
Q
Comments (4)
Here's some more info: It will be approximately 180 feet long and approximately five feet tall. We need a very traditional formally pruned hedge to act as a fence. An evergreen ground cover will be planted on the outer side of the hedge to spill over the small slope which runs in front of the entire length of the hedge. Everything will be regularly pruned. It will have an iron gate at the entrance which opens to a long brick or stone path. The soil for the whole thing is rock-hard solid red clay. I live in a historic 160-year-old Greek Revival/Italianate home. Traditional Boxwood is our first choice if it wasn't such a slow grower. Many thanks in advance!
...See More
calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9
17 years ago
dick sonia's advice applies to hedges of any species. I have a hedge of Lonicera nitida that is coping very well with one end in the sun and the other in shade. Both ends growth looks the same. Al
CA Kate z9
17 years ago
If it is really sad shade it could be heavily prune, rejuvenated. It's been my experience that it's really hard to kill off honeysuckle... in any climate.

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES 9 Low-Growing Hedges That Make Good Neighbors

By Frank Organ

Define garden areas or borders without blocking the view, with these evergreen shrubs that take kindly to trimming

Full Story

By Angela Flournoy

This 1-bedroom suite has everything a Texas mother and grandmother needs — including the best wake-up system money can't buy

Full Story

266

GARDENING GUIDES What Kind of Roses Should You Grow?

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Want to add the beauty of roses to your garden? Find out which ones, from old-fashioned to modern, are right for you

Full Story

104

TASTEMAKERS A New Decorating Book Celebrates Expert Style Mixing

By Becky Harris

Old-world classic, traditional and modern elements harmonize in Stephen Sills' gift-worthy new decorating book

Full Story

INSPIRING GARDENS Spring Garden Ideas From Colonial Williamsburg

By Paintbox Garden

Discover old-time resourcefulness — how gardeners worked the land, used local materials and more — to apply to your landscape today

Full Story

FENCES AND GATES How to Choose the Right Fence

By Laura Gaskill

Get the privacy, security and animal safeguards you need with this guide to fencing options

Full Story

FEEL-GOOD HOME Stop That Draft: 8 Ways to Keep Winter Chills Out

By Laura Gaskill

Stay warm without turning up the thermostat by choosing the right curtains, windows and more

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Sambucus Nigra

By Curtis Adams

Common elderberry is a highly adaptable shrub from the eastern U.S., with berries galore for wildlife and humans alike

Full Story

LANDSCAPE DESIGN How to Create a Cottage-Style Garden

By Claudia De Yong Garden Design

If you like an abundance of plants — and visits from birds, bees and butterflies — this may be the style of yard for you

Full Story

PATIOS Get Backyard Privacy the Subtler, Stylish Way

By Amber Hopman

Why settle for a hulking brick wall when plants, screens and other refined backyard dividers do the job with panache?

Full Story

Old honeysuckle hedge needs reviving

Comments (4)

Heathen1

Dick_Sonia

Related Discussions

calistoga_al ca 15 usda 9

CA Kate z9

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US