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Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Diervilla sessilifolia (Southern bush honeysuckle)
Cressler, Alan

Diervilla sessilifolia

Diervilla sessilifolia Buckley

Southern Bush Honeysuckle, Southern Bush-honeysuckle

Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: DISE

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

A low shrub with sulfur-yellow flowers in clusters of 3-7 atop stems and atop small, nearly square branches. Southern bush-honeysuckle is a low-growing, suckering shrub, 3-5 ft. high and at least as wide. The foliage is dark-green, often with red veins and stems, and seldom colors in the fall. Small, but abundant, yellow flowers are borne on the tip of new growth.

A similar species, Northern Bush Honeysuckle (D. lonicera), which grows in central and northeastern United States and adjacent Canada, has small round branches, stalked leaves, and clusters that are mostly made up of only three flowers. The flowers of both species turn partly dull red with age.

 

From the Image Gallery

18 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 5 feet tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AL , GA , NC , SC , TN , VA
Native Distribution: NC & TN, s. to GA & AL
Native Habitat: Dry, exposed, mt. & piedmont sites

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry soils
Conditions Comments: No serious insect or disease problems. Thrives in windy, sunny, dry sites where other plants will not grow. Best when pruned back in late winter or early spring to remove unsightly, old and winter-killed growth. Will sucker and establish colonies. Will withstand shade but is best in full sun.

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Bumble Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

Propagation

Description: Propagate by seed or cuttings. Both softwood and semi-hardwoods cuttings root readily.
Seed Treatment: No special treatment.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Diervilla sessilifolia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Diervilla sessilifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Diervilla sessilifolia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-05-30
Research By: TWC Staff

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