Japanese honeysuckle growth on garden swing seat

Beeblebr0x

I have some Japanese honeysuckle growing up both sides of my seat and it's very vigorous where it's growing over the 'roof'. However, the leaves growing up the sides have mostly turned brown and fallen off, leaving a network of shoots.

Is this normal or something I can rectify by cutting back hard in the autumn?

Beeblebr0x

I'll get me coat

Dustyevsky

You'd do better, getting your phone and taking a photo!  

Honeysuckle is notorious for getting mildew and being off-colour in drought situations. 

Boohoo

Beeblebr0x said:

I'll get me coat

Are you cold then?

twopenny

Perfectly normal unfortunately.
If you grow it as a hedge you only see the outside green leaves.
I've had the same with mine growing up a fence and mostly green on top. Should have known better but your imagination takes over with the dream of dense fragrant flowers.

Some varieties do better than others and are thick up to about 5' when young then eventually go the same way.

What about a Jasmine to replace? That stays green. Move the honeysuckle somewhere it will scramble.

Beeblebr0x

I had some free honeysuckle from my daughter's allotment, where it looks quite happy.

I've got to treat the wooden seat in the late autumn, so will cut back to lower growth.