Honeysuckle/Passiaflora

Hi,

My honeysuckle (planted spring last year) seems to be thriving but I have just noticed mildew appearing on quite a lot of leaves. I suspect Powdery Mildew. It's currently planted in a border of 7-8" of compost and topsoil mix, on a sheltered, west facing fence. I reckon prob might be that it gets too much sun. Any suggestions? I think I might cut it right back in the autumn and move it to a shady north-facing fence (would this be a good idea? Best to wait til autumn?) but in the meantime can I do anything to stop it getting worse and looking horrible this summer?

Also, I had planted a passiaflora next to it last spring but this died over winter. I was given this so unsure of variety but was thinking of trying again with a Passiflora incarnata but can't seem to find one near me. Anybody have any suggestions of where to source them inexpensively?
I just read this too - would you trust this? Never heard of Passiflora to make a calming tea - anybody tried it?

Thanks

"Passiflora incarnata has a perennial root, and the herbaceous shoots bear three-lobed, finely-serrated leaves and flesh-colored or yellowish, sweet-scented flowers, tinged with purple. The ripe, orange-colored, ovoid, many-seeded berry is about the size of a small apple. The yellow pulp is sweet and edible.
There appears to be no detailed analysis of this species, but its active principle, which has been called Passiflorine, has caught the interest of several researchers. The leaves and stems give a pleasant repose perhaps because it seems to have a calming effect on the central nervous system. It makes a GREAT tea no matter the time of day.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. "

 

Yes, you can buy passionfruit tea in supermarkets.

 

Just my thoughts but if you are in the UK I very much doubt your Honeysuckle is suffering with too much sun at the moment.
Maybe its a bit dry at the roots?

The passion flower you were given is very likely to have been P. cerulea its the common hardy ish one usually grown.
P.incarnata is more likely to be available at a specialist nursery.
I'm not sure, but I think its herbaceous, and it is reputed to be hardy, but mostly in the US where they get cold winters but hot summers. By the time it appears above ground here its likely to be mid summer.

 

Bearing in mind the weather so far, I reckon that the Passiflora may still be waiting for the weather to improve. My P.amethystina is only just coming into growth.

 

Agh! I hope not as I dug it up and put it on the compost heap last week! It def looked very dead though - crispy and brittle from the base of the stem upwards (it had grown to about 5'x3' during the first year and was still at that size but all withered and dry with no sign of new shoots or greenery). Do they go like this and then bounce back in May/June generally? Or maybe I should have protected it somehow over winter?

Ah, so rather than have a too delicate Passiflora, maybe I should have just given it better protection over winter? I left it to it's own devices but perhaps I should have thrown some fleece over it or something?

Hmmm...I have been watering it a couple of times a week, and I thought mildew was more likely to suggest excessive damp than insufficient water. But you think maybe I should try mulching and more more watering?

 

It mostly depends on your soil type but I dont think I would be watering a honeysuckle in my garden ever, once established.

I was thinking along the lines of powdery mildew which often occurs on plants that are dryish in late summer.

But if you are watering it then I would say no, dont increase the watering, it must be another cause.

Do you have a picture?

 

Will get one uploaded tomorrow if I can. The mildew is becoming more extensive. I wonder if it's to do with it being in a small bed instead of open ground. I've given up hope of the plant looking anything other than mangy this summer :(