Hard Pruning Clematis and Honeysuckle for Wall Painting: What Survives?

Dan had clematis (multiple varieties) and honeysuckle tangled on a garden wall needing repainting. Heard clematis can be cut to inches; what about honeysuckle? Is hard pruning best practice or absolute necessity? Will cutting both to an inch kill them?

Clematis

Depends on type (1, 2, or 3). Type 3 (most common) can be hacked to ground—comes back vigorously. Protect roots from freezing (mulch).

Honeysuckle

Two approaches:
1. Maintenance pruning (spring): Remove leafless, leggy old growth.
2. Rejuvenation pruning (late winter): Cut vines to 1–2 ft. Allows moving vines for painting. May lose next year's blooms but benefits long-term health.

Tool Sanitation

Sanitize pruners before and after to prevent disease spread.