How to properly cover young honeysuckle

To protect a honeysuckle bush from the cold, determine its intended climate. Some species are more resilient, while others are highly susceptible. Properly covering a young plant will also protect it from rodent infestations. The key is to avoid causing harm with excessive care.

Preparing honeysuckle for cold weather

Honeysuckle is a plant whose fruit's taste is considered "an acquired taste." However, it is widely used in folk medicine due to its beneficial properties. The berries are known for their beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. Preparing plants for winter begins with crown pruningsIt will increase its yield next year.

Pruning should be done no earlier than five years after planting. This should be done carefully, as the bush's branches are fragile. The honeysuckle is then mulched with peat, sawdust, or pine branches. After this, it is covered.

Shrubs can be divided into 3 types:

• edible;
• decorative
• vines.

Edible varieties are most often cold- and frost-resistant. They can withstand temperatures as low as -40°C. These include the varieties "Blue Bird," "Blue Spindle," "Lakomka," and "Amphora." They require no additional winter cover. The plants are particularly intolerant of temperature fluctuations. Snowfall in northern regions is enough to keep honeysuckle alive until spring.

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Ornamental shrubs and vines are a more challenging proposition. While they don't require shelter in temperate climates, they do in northern regions. Climbing vines are first untied from their supports, carefully gathered into a ring, and tied together. They are then laid on a layer of peat or soil. A layer of spruce branches or sawdust is then applied. Fallen snow will complete the insulation process.

Among vine varieties, the most common are 'Caprifolia' and 'Brown's Honeysuckle.' Ornamental shrubs are similarly protected. The most popular are the Tatarian and common honeysuckle varieties.

Protection from rodents and birds

Small rodents aren't particularly fond of honeysuckle; they're more likely to nest in its branches. Birds such as waxwings and bullfinches cause more damage, pecking at the fruit buds. Pesticides scattered near the bushes can help prevent mouse attacks. Protect the bush from birds with special nets or synthetic bags.

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Young bushes are most vulnerable to damage from hungry birds. Music discs hanging from the branches or rustling bags are effective deterrents. But the best remedy is snow. If precipitation is light, you can shovel it onto the bushes. Do this carefully to avoid breaking branches. Inspect the honeysuckle in early spring and treat any broken branches with garden pitch.

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Covering young bushes isn't difficult. The key is to understand which varieties require special care and which will thrive under a blanket of snow. In the spring, remove the covering materials promptly to prevent the honeysuckle from suffocating. With proper care, fruiting bushes will yield a bountiful harvest, while ornamental ones will delight you with blooming bouquets.