Diervilla lonicera – Northern Bush Honeysuckle

A compact native shrub with neat foliage and small yellow flowers in July and August.  Spreads at a moderate pace to form a colony, even in the forest understory. Our plantings have shown that these tough plants intermingle so closely that, while limiting the spread of other plants, they are apparently capable of preventing precocious Oak seedlings from developing under Oak trees. Provides a notably stable, low maintenance hedgerow. The autumn foliage is brilliantly red and orange. These plants are naturally found in some of the most rugged conditions, usually in the shade of coniferous forests on rocky and gravelly thin soils. They have a unique adaptation to light conditions and are insensitive to changes in light levels. Their natural habitat in the shade is only based on the fact that there is little to no competition there. The somewhat inconspicuous flowers of this plant attract many types of pollinators, especially Bumblebees. The leaves are an exclusive food source for a newly-described species of Moth. Moose and White-Tailed Deer readily browse the stems and foliage of this plant. The prostrate lower branches and tall arching upper branches are utilized by birds as a nesting site. The plant has some medicinal uses as well.

Plant in full sun to shade. Succeeds in all well-drained soils. Especially tolerant of dry, rocky, or gravelly soil.