Northern bush honeysuckle... - Ask Extension
Hello! Love my native northern bush honeysuckle and noticed some leaves looked off. Double checking to see if they need me to add or subtract anything...
Knowledgebase
Northern bush honeysuckle... #877041
Asked July 12, 2024, 8:47 PM EDT
Hello! Love my native northern bush honeysuckle and noticed some leaves looked off. Double checking to see if they need me to add or subtract anything from the soil? Please see attached photo. Thank you!
Franklin County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi Valerie,
Your honeysuckle has such lovely foliage and I can see why you are concerns with the yellowing parts.
The most common issues are drought, nutrient deficiency, improper light, pests and diseases.
Honeysuckle likes a well-draining but moist environment. You can use a moisture meter or try watering it more if on the dry side.
In regard to light, Honeysuckle do not require full sun, but they do like their roots in the shade. Look like yours in next to the lawn? Except for the yellowing, it seems like it is getting enough sun.
From your picture, I don't think you have any pest problems. Some common diseases are Powery mildew, leaf blight, root rot, and aphids. I'm sure you have already checked.
Since you suspect a lack of nutrients, the best way to know for sure is to do a soil test which will tell you exactly what you have then you will know what to add. Note that applying too much is just as bad as not having enough.
Your local Extension office may have soil kits for sale and they can also help to interpret the results. Since I don't know where you live, here is a link to locate County Offices in Ohio. Locate an Office | OSU Extension
From your photo, I suspect that you have a micronutrient deficiency (Chlorosis). A good description is available here:
Garden Guides | Honeysuckle Diseases
Here is an excerpt:
"Micronutrient chlorosis is a honeysuckle disease typically caused by manganese, iron or zinc deficiencies. Chlorosis first shows up in a light green or yellow discoloration on the areas between leaf veins. Chlorosis symptoms gradually worsen, causing leaves to turn pale yellow, brown along the edges and curl. Angular brown spots might also appear between the leaf veins. Chlorosis of plants in acidic soil is frequently caused by the careless disposal of lime, ashes, detergents or caustic chemicals."
What kind of fertilizer do you need? Most recommendations say you need a balance fertilizer such as 10-10-10.
Uptake of fertilizer is dependent on the soil pH (5.5 to 8.0)
Here is a link to read about what and how to fertilize.
Best Honeysuckles For Ohio Gardens: A Guide By Experts (how-to-grow.org)
I hope the above helps and I hope your honeysuckle recovers. It's very pretty.
Your honeysuckle has such lovely foliage and I can see why you are concerns with the yellowing parts.
The most common issues are drought, nutrient deficiency, improper light, pests and diseases.
Honeysuckle likes a well-draining but moist environment. You can use a moisture meter or try watering it more if on the dry side.
In regard to light, Honeysuckle do not require full sun, but they do like their roots in the shade. Look like yours in next to the lawn? Except for the yellowing, it seems like it is getting enough sun.
From your picture, I don't think you have any pest problems. Some common diseases are Powery mildew, leaf blight, root rot, and aphids. I'm sure you have already checked.
Since you suspect a lack of nutrients, the best way to know for sure is to do a soil test which will tell you exactly what you have then you will know what to add. Note that applying too much is just as bad as not having enough.
Your local Extension office may have soil kits for sale and they can also help to interpret the results. Since I don't know where you live, here is a link to locate County Offices in Ohio. Locate an Office | OSU Extension
From your photo, I suspect that you have a micronutrient deficiency (Chlorosis). A good description is available here:
Garden Guides | Honeysuckle Diseases
Here is an excerpt:
"Micronutrient chlorosis is a honeysuckle disease typically caused by manganese, iron or zinc deficiencies. Chlorosis first shows up in a light green or yellow discoloration on the areas between leaf veins. Chlorosis symptoms gradually worsen, causing leaves to turn pale yellow, brown along the edges and curl. Angular brown spots might also appear between the leaf veins. Chlorosis of plants in acidic soil is frequently caused by the careless disposal of lime, ashes, detergents or caustic chemicals."
What kind of fertilizer do you need? Most recommendations say you need a balance fertilizer such as 10-10-10.
Uptake of fertilizer is dependent on the soil pH (5.5 to 8.0)
Here is a link to read about what and how to fertilize.
Best Honeysuckles For Ohio Gardens: A Guide By Experts (how-to-grow.org)
I hope the above helps and I hope your honeysuckle recovers. It's very pretty.
