DESCRIPTION Japanese honeysuckle is not something one would plant in their landscape. It is often an invader from an uncultivated area. It is spread by its trailing stems, underground rhizomes, and the seeds from its black berries that are dispersed by birds. It has been known to grow up to thirty feet in a year.

HOST PLANTS The plant is tough and persistant, holding its leaves in mild winters. It will twine and climb up fences, shrubs, and trees, shading and choking them.

CONTROL It can be labor-intensive to rid an area of established honeysuckle. I may be possible to control it by burning the plant to ground level or digging out the rhizomes for several consecutive seasons. Annual concentrated applications of glyphosate is another way and works better if it is cut back to just a few inches high just before spraying. Mowing and cutting back honeysuckle in adjacent uncultivated areas will slow its further advance .