Pink lemonade honeysuckle is showing signs of struggling

Q: The pink lemonade honeysuckle I planted was definitely healthier six years ago than it is now. I give it a good soaking about two to three times each week during the summer, and keep it watered during the colder months as well. I also fertilize about once a month, applying liquid (diluted) Pennington Ultragreen Plant Starter with B-1. The block wall behind it is on the north side of the plant, so the plant gets plenty of direct/hot sunlight. Each year it gets more paltry. Suggestions to get my pink lemonade honeysuckle healthier will be appreciated. — J.L-K., Albuquerque

A: Goodness, your honeysuckle is having a tough go of things. Inspecting the photo, here’s what I would do if this plant were mine, OK?

First, and this will sound harsh, I’d cut it back completely to a height of no more than a foot tall. I’d eliminate any and all stems that were/are snappy dead wood. Since the plant is still wearing some green leaves, I might wait until September to do all these chores.

Once the plant is cut back, I’d be moving the rock at the base back, creating three feet of area, encircling the plant creating a moat.

I’d also be looking to see if the plant is planted “below grade” so to speak. Had it sunk lower than the existing soil level surrounding it? Or has its moat (if there was one) filled in with silt, so the base of the plant is essentially covered or buried too deeply? If that’s the case, I’d dig up the honeysuckle and replant it so it’s sitting higher in its hole. Planted too deep, a lot of plants can suffocate, so it may just be planted too deep.

Since I’d gotten it all cut back and have exposed more soil surrounding the base of the plant, I’d definitely consider repositioning it away from the wall a couple of feet. That might encourage more air flow, helping to keep the plant cooler. Personally, I think the plant, living on that south exposure wall, is getting too much sun and reflective heat to begin with. Consider moving it to a kinder, gentle location in the gardens, but that’s just me.

Now comes the watering. You say you offer a good soaking several times a week during the summer months. You’re confident that the water offered is staying at the plant and not running off beneath that rock mulch you’ve got going on? The way things look now, I don’t see how you can tell. How long a period of time is a good soaking? Is the water allowed to trickle into the area at ground level for 30 to 45 minutes, getting the soil truly damp? Again, I don’t see how you’re able to tell, but with a few modifications to the base area of the honeysuckle, the water offered would do a better job.

The fertilizer you offer, is it listed on its label as a fertilizer to be used continually or one that is meant to give newly-planted plants a good leg up while they are settling in? To me, not being familiar with the product, it sounds like you’re applying too much, too often, for too long a period. I encourage you to reread the label to be sure this fertilizer is applicable to how you are using it.

I’m most concerned by the looks of the area at the base of the plant. The rock mulch just looks like it’s too restrictive for the plant to be able to perform well. Again, if it was me, I’d cut the plant back completely, give the area it’s living in a good look see, make a couple of adjustments and see if that could help the honeysuckle rebound so it looks again like its former self!

Good luck and Happy Diggin In!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Digging In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.