Question
Hello,
  I live in Wichita and have been struggling with honeysuckle for 3 years.  The plants I originally bought looked healthy but really began struggling, so I replaced them with honeysuckle from a better nursery last year - struggling again; leaves yellow, vines suddenly wilting - I suspect it's Verticillium Wilt but I plan on taking it to the Extension Office to confirm... this is so upsetting due to the horrible neighbors behind me and I am really trying to block them out - WHAT perennial vine can I plant there that is fast growing and not susceptible to Wilt?  I recently bought a Greek Mix Bittersweet but am unable to ascertain if it is susceptible as well ...Please advise, thank you.

Answer
Hi Sam,
Thanx for your question.  I'm in Kansas City.  I think it is a good idea you are going to take some samples to get to the Extension Office.  I used to volunteer with the Master Gardeners in Wyandotte County and people would bring in samples of plants all the time.  It's a great resource.  You can work with verticillium wilt by removing affected parts and burning them and then applying a high-nitrogen fertilizer to your plants.  What happens is the nitrogen causes vigorous green growth and the plant should fill in quickly.  This is a soil-born virus so perhaps there was a different host there before.  Here's a link from the University of Kentucky on the wilt.

http://www.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/ppa/ppa18/ppa18.htm

Bittersweet should not be affected by verticillium wilt and will grow profusely.  You will need both male and female plants to have the colorful berries.  

I hope this helps.
Tom