Smooth Southern Bush-honeysuckle Diervilla sessilifolia

Southern Bush Honeysuckle is a compact, low-growing deciduous shrub that matures to 5 feet high and 5 feet wide. The plant thrives in windy, sunny, dry sites where other plants won't grow and is native to the slopes, and stream banks of the Great Smoky Mountains and the southern Appalachian Mountains. It spreads by suckers and will form thickets, which makes it ideal for stabilizing banks or using as a ground cover. The dark green leaves have red veins and the trumpet-shaped sulpher-yellow blooms flower all summer. The genus name honors a French surgeon named Dierville who observed the bush-honeysuckle growing in Canada in 1699-1700. The species name is in reference to the sessile leaves. The common name bush honeysuckle refers to the appearance of the flowers, which resemble those of plants in the genus Lonicera (honeysuckles). However, this species should not to be confused with Lonicera japonica, which shares the common name bush honeysuckle but is an exotic invasive species.

Bush Honeysuckle is easy to grow in average moisture, well-drained soils in full sun or part shade. The plant will spread by underground stems to form colonies, but it is not considered to be invasive. It is drought tolerant, hardy, adaptable to a range of soil pH and soil types and will tolerate some shade. About the only things it does not tolerate is salt and poor-draining clay soils. Prune in late winter or early spring to control the size and remove dead stems; however, keep in mind that blossoms are borne on the tip of new growth.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect pests. Leaf spot and powdery mildew can occur.