Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla) for Dry Shade

Add some summer color to those shady spots in the landscape with our native Diervilla.

Also known as bush honeysuckle, this is not the invasive honeysuckle many gardeners should avoid. You, the bumblebees and other pollinators will enjoy the tubular yellow flowers that appear in summer and resemble honeysuckle blooms.

Plant it in full or partial shade where it has room to grow and spread. This two- to three-feet-tall shrub grows 4 feet wide, spreads by rhizomes and can eventually form a thicket. This is a welcome addition to those dry shade locations under large shade trees or on a shady slope.

New varieties provide the same summer bloom with added beauty. Cool Splash has variegated leaves that brighten the shade all season long. The new growth and fall color on the Kodiak series of Diervilla provide added spring and fall color to the landscape.

A bit more information: Use these shrubs as a filler in planting borders, in front of other larger shrubs or on steep banks for erosion control. This hardy shrub also performs well in containers.