Twinberry (Lonicera involucrata): when and how to prune

Twinberry (Lonicera involucrata): when to prune it?

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Hardly any pruning is needed. Thin the shrub every few years in February–March, before it comes into leaf.

What else to prune in those months? February · March

Twinberry (Lonicera involucrata): how to prune it?

1. Cut a few of the oldest, thickest stems out at the base; this keeps the shrub young and open.
2. Remove dead, damaged and crossing stems.
3. Too big or bare at the base? It tolerates hard renovation pruning to 30–50 cm above the ground, but will flower less for a year.

How much to cut, and how often?

• One pruning period a year: February–March.
• Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.

What does it mean for wildlife?

• Pruning in March can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
• Twinberry (Lonicera involucrata) flowers in May–July, when it attracts bees.
• Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.

Common mistakes

• Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
• Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.

Nearby: related pruning guides

• Fly honeysuckle
• Honeyberry
• Honeysuckle
• Box-leaved honeysuckle
• Box-leaved honeysuckle (Lonicera pileata)
• Henry’s honeysuckle

Plant profile: Twinberry (Lonicera involucrata) · Pruning calendar and basic rules