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Mature Honeysuckle Not Thriving #874274

Asked June 23, 2024, 11:38 AM EDT

Hi! My mature Honeysuckle isn’t thiving. Many of the leaves have partial browning and the flowers are dried up. Do you think I have a pest? Or, does it just need to be pruned and/or fertilized? Thanks so much!

Washington County Oregon

Expert Response

Thank you for your question.  There are 3 diseases that honeysuckle plants are known to get, described here:  https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-and-disease-descriptions?title=honeysuckle   I can't see clearly enough to tell if there is powdery mildew present.  There is no sign of the virus described.  The root rot disease would need to be diagnosed by a lab, which can test the soil.  This is prevalent if the soil stays too moist.  I have no information about how often it is watered, or how the soil drains.

This Q&A has information about flowers drying up, leading back to watering issues:  https://ask2.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=463277

Purple leaves are often an indication that the plant has a phosphorus deficiency.  I suggest that you get your soil tested for pH and nutrients.  This lab is the closest one:  https://emswcd.org/tools/conservation-directory/2328/a-l-western-agriculture-laboratories/     Ask them for recommendations for soil amendments.  Good luck!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied June 25, 2024, 3:53 PM EDT

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