Why your cape honeysuckle isn't blooming

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It's the first week of October here in the Phoenix, Arizona area and your cape honeysuckle should be starting to bloom. Unless, of course, you did what I just did, trimmed it way back.

Cape honeysuckle is a vigorous grower, and can be kept to any size, so it's important to keep an eye on it, and keep it trimmed. I failed to do this, and this plant had gotten way out of control. So I got the clippers out and gave it a serious haircut!

Of course, this type of trimming removes the flower buds, so it will be a few weeks before it starts to bloom again. The good news is that all it needs is a little bit of time, and some cooler weather, and the blooms will return. Cape honeysuckle blooms all winter, during what I call "Chamber of Commerce weather".

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