Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle

Growth habit

Shrub

Perennation

Long-lived polycarpic perennial

Native distribution

Native to the Finger Lakes Region, Nfdl. to Sask., S. to NC & Mi

Location

Mundy Wildflower Garden, Coy Glen, Edwards Lake Cliffs Preserve, McLean Bogs, Ringwood Ponds

Source of plant

Cornell Botanic Gardens

Description

Diervilla lonicera, commonly known as bush honeysuckle, is a suckering, densely branched, deciduous shrub that typically grows to 3' tall and to 4' wide. It is native to dry rocky open woodland areas and thickets from Newfoundland to Saskatchewan south to North Carolina, Tennessee and Iowa. It is noted for its small shrubby form, yellow trumpet-shaped flowers, dark green leaves and fall color. Tube-like flowers (each to 1/2" across), resembling the flowers of true honeysuckle (genus Lonicera), bloom in panicles (cymes) in late spring to early summer (June-July). Plants are self-sterile (seed set requires pollination from a nearby plant). Flowers give rise to fruits (dry woody dehiscent capsules). Ovate to oblong-lanceolate, pointed, opposite, glossy green leaves (to 2-5" long) with fine marginal teeth turn interesting shades of yellow to orange sometimes changing to red in fall.

USDA Hardiness Zone

4

Special characteristics

fall color

Status

L4|S5|G5