Diervilla lonicera
A compact, cold-hardy native deciduous shrub 2–4 ft tall with coppery new growth that reddens in fall and yellow tubular flowers in mid-summer that attract pollinators, tolerant of a wide range of soils and sun.
Common Names
Bush Honeysuckle, Northern Bush Honeysuckle, Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle
Summary
Native to Eastern North America, this deciduous shrub forms compact thickets via suckers and typically reaches about 2–4 ft in height and width. New growth is coppery-green to bronze, maturing to dark green, and fall color is orange to red. In midsummer, yellow tubular flowers appear, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
It prefers well-drained soil and grows best in full sun to partial shade, tolerating a range of soils and moisture from dry to moderately moist; drought-tolerant once established. Practical uses include borders, banks/slopes, mass plantings, erosion control, and naturalized or woodland-edge plantings. It spreads by suckers, making it easy to establish but may form thickets.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
2-4 feet
Spread
2-5 feet
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3-7
Sunlight Requirements
Full sun to partial shade.
Soil Type
Well-drained, slightly acidic soil
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil
Soil pH
Tolerates all pH levels
Bloom Color
Yellow, ranging from pale yellow to yellow-orange, fading to red
Bloom Time
Summer
Foliage Color
Bronze-green
Fall Foliage Color
Red, Orange, Yellow
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Fast growth, especially in full sun; slower in full shade.
Seasons of Interest
Summer and Fall
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Root cuttings, Division, Suckers, Stolons
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- Mill.
- Publication
- Gard. Dict. ed. 8 : s.p. (1768)
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Angiosperms
- Order
- Dipsacales
- Family
- Caprifoliaceae
- Genus
- Diervilla
Synonyms
Lonicera diervilla Diervilla acadiensis Diervilla canadensis Diervilla humilis Diervilla lonicera var. hypomalaca Diervilla lutea Diervilla parvifolia Diervilla trifida Diervilla lonicera var. lonicera Diervilla diervilla Diervilla longifolia Diervilla tournefortii