Diervilla Kodiak® Red 2.0 Bush Honeysuckle

A Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Flowering Shrubs variety, Kodiak® Red 2.0 is a deciduous shrub offering 3 seasons of interest. Attractive foliage first emerges in showy shades of russet red that remain throughout the season but eventually fade, so that last season's growth is light green. Tiny yellow flowers borne in terminal clusters appear all summer, attracting pollinators, including butterflies and hummingbirds, but especially native bumblebees. The lovely leaves add beautiful color and texture to the garden all season and are often used as foliage filler in floral arrangements. With its brilliant red fall foliage, diervilla is an environmentally friendly alternative to burning bush (Euonymus alatus), which is invasive and being restricted throughout the U.S.

A Diervilla x splendens, commonly called bush honeysuckle (a misnomer) or diervilla (preferred), Kodiak Red 2.0 has a fast growth rate and freely branching, bushy, upright, suckering habit but is not invasive. Shown to best effect when massed or grouped, the shrub is ideal for low-maintenance hedges, foundation plantings, and erosion control. It is a perfect addition to wildlife gardens and an excellent "thriller" in a container garden.

Cold hardy and easy to grow, diervilla grows best in sunny to partly sunny locations with moist, well-draining, humusy loams, but it grows well in a wide range of soils, including clay. It tolerates dry soil and is one of the most shade tolerant shrubs; however, the best color and blooming occur with plenty of sunshine, and in northern climates it should be planted in full sun. The shrub benefits from pruning every 3 to 5 years. It blooms on new wood, so any pruning should be done in spring.

A native plant, diervilla is indigenous to North America. Native plants are not only beautiful but also environmentally friendly. Naturally adapted to the climate and soil conditions of the region, they thrive without fertilizers or extra watering, once established. They also act as natural pest controls, reducing the need for pesticides in the garden. Landscaping with native plants promotes biodiversity and provides shelter and quality food for wildlife and pollinators, bringing gardens to life.