PROPAGATION
The easiest way to propagate native honeysuckle is by layering the stems. A healthy stem is bent down to ground level and a cane inserted into the soil, approximately 12in (30cm) from the end of the stem. The cane is then removed, and the soil around where it was inserted is dug down to the depth of a trowel. A sharp cuttings knife is used to make an incision approximately 12in (30cm) from the edge of the stem, cutting along it to create a ‘flap’ opening. This can be kept open by using a cocktail stick. The stem is bent towards the ground once more and the cut section pegged down into the hole using a piece of bent wire. The cut stem is then covered with soil and watered well. The cane is reinserted and the end of the stem tied to it to mark the spot. Roots should have formed from the cut stem a year later.