"Runners" on PLANTS. Question for gardeners, perhaps even botanists

[UTUSN]

About "Cape Honeysuckles" and their runners. I'm using them as a privacy fence. In some sections they've gotten as high as 12-15 feet, which is fine with me. I've basically put all my eggs in the one basket, have gotten rid of other plants and focused on the perimeter.

There are a couple or few articles in a Google Search with complaints that these things are INVASIVE, a pest.

The problem I've had with the runners is to bend down, kneel, sit and CUT them at the base. I've kept the bushes themselves in a fairly contained hedge. My theory is that my having CUT THE RUNNERS has controlled the situation.

My objective is UPWARD GROWTH.

Do runners on plants sap strength away from the main plants? Do they encourage SIDEWAYS growth? Does my cutting the runners do anything, what effect does it have?

[RainDog]

1. nice plant

runners create "new" plants. If you want to make your plant put out more lateral growth, you can prune the top of the plant. honeysuckle is invasive b/c of the runners - like ivy - if you don't do anything the runners will create new plants and the original will continue to grow if it likes where it is - and seems it does.

if you want to keep it in bounds - you'll be dealing with those runners for the life of the plant.

[UTUSN]

2. "the original will continue to grow" -- so, the runners don't deter the main plant.

and "you'll be dealing with those runners" -------aHA!1 I'll have to keep kneeling/squatting/getting my eyes poked!1

Some of those runners have been, like, FIVE feet. So in other words if I don't keep after them, the yard will be INFESTED!1


Thanks for the info.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

3. Invasive runners are the WORST!

I dealt with a backyard that had a Morning Glory (another notorious invasive runner) and the damn thing had not been controlled and had put out a staggering number of runners that had taken over the yard, some 25' in length! Try as I may, I was unable to completely control the plant once it had gotten that out of control.

You have to stay seriously on top of a plant like that at all times -- which is one reason to know the growth habit of the species you are thinking of planting before you do.

Good luck with that!