Moving a Honeysuckle

[Sunbeam]

I have a beautiful honeysuckle growing on the back of my neighbours old shed in the South east corner of my garden, we are currently in the process of moving our garden boundaries and this shed area will become part of our garden. The shed will be demolished... this would mean the honeysuckle would then be growing in the middle of what will be a drive way to our garage/workshop.

I don't know how old it is but it has 2 woody stems about 1" in diameter coming of a thicker main stem of about 3"x 1" at ground level. I don't want to kill it, can I move it without causing too much damage.

[marialittlebzz]

Moving it seems to me quite a bet... I would take cuttings, a lot of them, as they take quite easily and simply dispose of the old plant.

[Herbie]

I agree with marialittlebzz, we moved a load of shrubs back in Feb when the ground was quite wet, i cut them back and moved them, they have all come back but at this time of year they are producing leaf ready to start flowering.

I would do both cut back the main plant, so its not using all its energy and take cuttings.
You will need to water copiously every day and keep in the shade. If it takes to its new home, great success.
If not you have the cuttings to fall back on.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[Tam]

In the past, I have moved honeysuckles in spring and autumn, and even in summer when they have been in flower, with 100% success. I have cut them back - the summer ones most severely and have always found them to be really hardy. I would agree with taking cuttings as a belt and braces job and anyway, you often find plants from cuttings get renewed vigour.

[Sunbeam]

I will take some cuttings before we move it - the lady at Scotsdales (local garden centre) recommends taking a piece between the old and new wood and making in nick in it then burying this nicked section underground whilst still attached to the main plant -or taking a similar section and planting them around the edge of a plant pot - but not in the middle of the pot (wonder why?) Hopefully when all this happens we will have a digger on site(hoping to extend) I can take it out with this taking a bigger ball of earth with it.

Thanks for the advice

[Alice]

Sunbeam, Honeysuckle is pretty tough and hardy. Take some cuttings by pushing straggly bits into pots and covering with earh / compost. They will soon root. Once rooted, cut the shoot from the parent plant. You can then try moving the original plant. you can try digging up the whole root (wow !) or just a bit of it. In my esperience any bit will grow. It might take a few years to get it back to its original glory - but it will get there.

[Flummery]

We've moved mature honeysuckles at really random times of the year. Just make sure you take enough soil with the rootball and make sure you don't let it go thirsty for a few months till it establishes. Trimming it back helps too, as it loses less moisture through the leaves. Good luck!