Q.Why Won’t My Honeysuckle Bloom?
3 years ago I purchased a single Lonicera Sempervirens “Major Wheeler” from a fairly reputable on-line nursery. I followed the planting, fertilization and watering instructions exactly. We planted it in a wooden planter box with trellis attached. Each year since it was planted it has died back after first frost, but it has also come back in the Spring as anticipated and grows vigorously up the trellis. However it has not yet produced a single blossom! According to the vendor the only fertilizer necessary is a well developed layer of compost each Spring after the new shoots come up. I also keep it watered during hot spells, which are frequent in our area, but I don’t think I am over-watering it. Does it need more than the compost as a fertilizer? Any advice on how to get it to bloom?
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
The number one reason plants don't bloom is lack of sunlight. Is your vine in full sun or at least part sun? Also, it likely would do better in the ground, if that is a possibility. Another consideration is the plant's age. It may take three years before it is mature enough to bloom.
It likes organically rich soil; but high nitrogen fertilizers will produce lots of foliage at the expense of flowers. Adding compost is ideal. They need deep but infrequent watering. Since yours is in a planter box, it needs more frequent watering. Here is more about the growing requirements:
