Diervilla sessilifolia, commonly known as Southern Bush Honeysuckle, is a tough, adaptable native shrub prized for its summer-blooming yellow flowers, excellent drought tolerance, and vibrant fall color. Unlike the invasive Japanese honeysuckle, this well-behaved native grows 3 to 5 feet tall and spreads gradually by underground stems to form dense colonies—making it ideal for erosion control and low-maintenance mass plantings. Its clusters of tubular yellow blooms attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, while the foliage turns shades of red and orange in fall.

Why choose Southern Bush Honeysuckle:

• Pollinator support: Tubular yellow flowers draw bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

• Erosion control: Spreading habit is excellent for stabilizing slopes or tough sites

• Multi-season appeal: Summer blooms and colorful fall foliage

Cultivating tips:

• Sun exposure: Grows well in full sun to part shade

• Soil needs: Tolerant of dry, rocky, or poor soils; thrives in well-drained conditions

• Maintenance: Very low-maintenance; prune to shape in late winter or early spring

Designs for your garden:

• Slope stabilization: Excellent for erosion-prone areas and banks

• Native shrub borders: Useful for adding structure and supporting wildlife

• Pollinator gardens: Provides nectar during summer when few shrubs are in bloom

Ecological benefits:

• Native habitat: Supports a wide variety of native pollinators

• Drought tolerant: Thrives with minimal water once established

• Non-invasive: Spreads moderately without becoming aggressive