About
Diervilla rivularis, the mountain bush honeysuckle, is a densely branched, wide-spreading, deciduous shrub to around 1.8 m tall with densely hairy branchlets and oval to elliptic leaves to 10 cm long that turn red, yellow and orange in autumn. Groups of small, two-lipped, pale yellow to greenish-yellow flowers are borne throughout summer. A reliable and ornamental shrub for a sunny or partly shaded 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 moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeBulbs, Herbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageSemi evergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Gravel garden, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Native toS Africa (E.Cape)
Care notes
CultivationGrow in humus-rich, well-drained soil in a sheltered situation with full sun
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