Bush Honeysuckle

Diervilla lonicera

Bush Honeysuckle, Diervilla lonicera, has dense, dark green foliage that turns yellow-orange, then red to purple in the autumn. The color will be more dramatic on plantings that receive more sunlight. Not a true honeysuckle, this small, mound-shaped shrub will …

More Detail
Plants 1 Gallon Pot
1+ $29.99 ea.
Availability: In stock
SKU
93150-GL
Cultural Details
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil Moisture Dry, Medium
Sun Exposure Full Sun, Partial, Shade
Height 1' - 3'
Bloom Color Yellow, Orange
Bloom Time June, July, Aug
Spacing 2' - 3'
Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Root Type Rhizome
Benefits Birds, Pollinators, Host Plant
<p>Bush Honeysuckle, <em>Diervilla lonicera, </em>has dense, dark green foliage that turns yellow-orange, then red to purple in the autumn. The color will be more dramatic on plantings that receive more sunlight. Not a true honeysuckle, this small, mound-shaped shrub will spread to form thickets over time, making it a good choice for massing, hedgerows or shrub borders. The yellow honeysuckle-like flowers, which turn reddish in color as they mature, attract butterflies and other pollinators. The fruit capsules are desirable to many songbirds, in autumn and winter. Bush Honeysuckle is a host plant for the Laurel Sphinx moth and the Snowberry Clearwing.</p> <p>This drought tolerant native shrub adapts easily to poor, rocky soils. Northern Bush Honeysuckle <em>(Diervilla sp.)</em> is not to be confused with invasive honeysuckles. Morrow's honeysuckle, Tatarian honeysuckle, Amur honeysuckle, and Japanese honeysuckle <em>(Lonicera spp.)</em> are all invasive and non-native. Somewhat similar in appearance, native and invasive honeysuckles can be distinguish by looking at the stems - native honeysuckles have solid stems while invasive honeysuckles have hollow stems.</p>
Planting and Cultivation Notes
Diervilla lonicera has "perfect flowers," which means that both male and female parts are contained on a single flower. The male and female flower parts develop in sequence, and the flowers themselves are self-infertile. Two-to-three plants are recommended for a reliable fruiting.