Hi - it needs to be repotted before roots run out of nutrients for starters! Not that you necessarily need a larger pot, possibly even a smaller one, but roots need to be reduced properly and branches/twigs need pruning. A picture is worth 1,000 words, so can you post one on this forum's gallery? It would help a lot!

I think your previous owners were suffering badly from perimeteritis. Removing a lot of those beds, even in your mind to start with, might be a winning move. Start with this: where and when do you need shade in summer? Where would a larger tree have to be to provide it? Is that a view beyond your backwoods there? Is it possible or desirable to see more of it? Can you make a place to sit at the back of the property that there would be some reason to go to? You want to design places for people, so imagine yourself at different spots - what would you do there, and how would you get there? Then, where would pleasant plants have to be to provide enjoyment while you are there? Using the topography to make tiers or something along those lines across the yard could make so much more of this yard than simply using the perimeter. I don't think the wall is ugly so much as it is an improbable colour, and it does look unfinished. A bench top or something like that: good idea. Stone facing would take up some patio space, how about slate tile? Karin L

First step - read the information I linked you to and make sure you ask about anything you don't understand. Are you going to be able to move the plant outdoors around Memorial Day? The best course is to allow the plant to retain its foliage until after it's repotted around Father's Day, and then do the pruning in July. You'll find answers to all the questions you asked at the links I offered, or you'll have all the info you need to easily figure them out. All my suggestions are offered in consideration of what it takes to work WITH the plant's natural growth habits. When the time is right is the time to take a more aggressive stance. For now, all you need to do is flush the soil & properly manage your watering/fertilizing. There is little effort involved in flushing the soil to ensure that an excessively high level of salts is not limiting your plant. Simply flush the soil thoroughly and repeatedly by pouring a volume of water equal to the volume of the container through the soil several (5-10) times - the more the better. After this treatment, you should fertilize with a half strength dose of a soluble fertilizer, preferably something in a 3:1:2 RATIO. Ask, if you don't understand the difference between the fertilizers ratio and its NPK %s. Of all the 3:1:2 ratio fertilizers I'm aware of, I prefer Foliage-Pro 9-3-6, for several reasons. If you don't want to order it online, Miracle-Gro 12-4-8 liquid (yellow jug) is readily available, inexpensive, and a reasonable substitute. Al

OK I have a couple dumb questions I guess. I have one coral honeysuckle growing on a small wooden trellis and yard light. By the way your plants are gorgeous. It appears that you do not use supports. I have taken some cuttings and they are doing pretty well. So do you suggest staking or a support or do you just do some pruning to keep them from being ragged and mine is now. Do you suggest full sun if possible.