With its intoxicatingly sweet fragrance, honeysuckle is a total crowd-pleaser—not just for us gardeners, but for bees and butterflies, too! To keep those blooms coming and the pollinators happy, you’ll want to make sure your vines stay healthy and pest-free.
What kind of diseases should I look out for?
If your honeysuckle is in the right spot and getting a little TLC, you usually won’t have much to worry about. Most varieties are actually pretty tough! However, the common Woodbine (Jelängerjelieber) can sometimes deal with a bout of powdery or downy mildew.
One thing honeysuckle absolutely hates is “wet feet.” Avoid planting it in a swampy corner of your yard, as constant standing water will eventually lead to root rot or fungal infections. Depending on the specific variety, these plants generally prefer soil that ranges from dry-ish to consistently moist, but never soggy.
If you notice your evergreen honeysuckle curling its leaves in the winter, don’t panic—it’s not sick! This is just a clever survival trick. By curling its leaves, the hardy plant reduces surface area to prevent moisture loss. Just remember to give your evergreen vines a drink on frost-free days during the winter to keep them hydrated.
Which pests like honeysuckle?
When the weather gets really dry, you might spot some aphids hanging out on your vines. If you don’t show them the door, they’ll quickly move on to your other garden favorites. Occasionally, you might also run into the cherry fruit fly.
How do I get rid of aphids?
To kick aphids to the curb, you can use a homemade plant wash (like stinging nettle tea) or give the plant a good spray with soapy water. Just a heads-up: try not to let too much soapy water soak into the soil. While you’re at it, check your neighboring plants to make sure the little critters haven’t started a colony elsewhere!
The Quick Rundown:
- Diseases and pests are relatively rare.
- Keep an eye out for: Aphids, mealybugs, powdery/downy mildew, and cherry fruit flies.
- Watch out for standing water: It can cause root rot and fungal issues.
- Most resilient variety: Fly Honeysuckle (bot. Lonicera xylosteum) is particularly hardy against disease.
Pro Tip: A well-watered, properly fertilized honeysuckle in the right location is its own best defense against pests and disease!
