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Diervilla lonicera

bush honeysuckle

A small, suckering, deciduous shrub to around 1.2m tall with glossy, lance-shaped leaves to 12cm long that emerge bronze-green in spring and may turn shades of orange, yellow and red in autumn. Small, tubular, yellow to orange, honeysuckle-like flowers are borne in summer

Synonyms
Diervilla canadensis

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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1–1.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Sand
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Bronze
Summer Yellow Orange Green
Autumn Green Yellow Red Orange
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5
Botanical details
Family
Caprifoliaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Suckering
Genus

Diervilla are are suckering deciduous shrubs with simple ovate to lance-shaped leaves and axillary or terminal clusters of tubular yellow flowers in summer

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Subarctic N America to C & E USA

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings, or separate suckers in late winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Low Maintenance
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 6

Pests

May be susceptible to honeysuckle aphids, Thrips and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews, fungal leaf spot, silver leaf and honey fungus (rarely)

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