About
Diervilla lonicera, the bush honeysuckle, is a compact, suckering, deciduous shrub to around 1.2 m tall with shining, lance-shaped leaves to 12 cm long that emerge bronze-green and may turn orange, yellow and red in autumn. Small, trumpet-like, yellow to orange, honeysuckle-like flowers are borne throughout summer. A reliable and attractive shrub for a sunny or partly shaded, well-drained position.
About the genus
Diervilla are suckering, deciduous shrubs with simple, ovate to lance-shaped leaves and axillary or terminal clusters of tubular, yellow flowers in summer. Ornamental and undemanding garden shrubs for sunny or partly shaded positions.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectWest-facing, South-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesGravel garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden
Native toS & E Africa
Care notes
CultivationGrow in humus-rich, well-drained soil in a sheltered situation with full sun. Avoid planting in soils prone to staying wet. Further dierama cultivation advice
PruningTidy any winter-damaged foliage by cutting to the base in spring
PropagationPropagate by seed in containers in a cold frame as soon as ripe. They may resent disturbance so leave until really congested before division of clumps in spring. Do not allow the corms to dry out. They may take 1-2 years to flower freely again
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free