Lonicera Japonica

FredL

Just came in from doing some organizing of my "Bonsai Patio" and was really struck by how well all my trees are doing now that Summer has ended and we are into the mild, Autumn growing season. I noticed particularly the several Japanese Honeysuckles I started from seeds and from cuttings the last 2 or 3 years.

Many years ago, I saw this species mentioned as suitable for bonsai and have seen it mentioned from time to time in the years since, but I was always a tad skeptical. A few years back, though, one was featured in "Bonsai Today" and was a very beautiful Bonsai. That strengthened my resolve to give this species a try and I'm glad I did.

I tried developing one as John Naka recommends in "Bonsai Techniques II" (I think), by wrapping several vines around a wooden stake with the idea that, over several years, they will fuse into a single trunk. The jury is out on this one; there simply hasn't been enough time for the fusion to happen. The others are being grown as clump style trees and I am extremely encouraged by the progress I am seeing. I don't they will ever develop the thick trunks charactaristic of the hardwood forest trees I am growing, but in only 2 or 3 years I am very encouraged by the very interesting trunks they are developing which promise to be quite adequate for clump style trees. Of course, they want to develop vines rather than limbs but, when pruned back from time to time, I'm finding the effect of branches is not hard to create.

I am also working with our native Virginia Creeper and wild Grapes, but, up to now, the most successful vines are definitely the Japanese Honeysuckles.

These vines grow as weeds all over most of North America and probably don't strike many as potential bonsai material. I'm glad I've given them a chance and I recommend them highly.

Fred

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jportock

Please post pictures to share your trees.

I would like to see them.

JP

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FredL

JP, great thought. One I've had repeatedly lately. Which, no doubt, I'll someday act on.

In the meantime, might we see some of your trees? I'm sure they'd put mine to shame.

Fred