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Diervilla rivularis Gatt.

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Credits

David Purvis & Tom Christian (2019)

Recommended citation
Purvis, D. & Christian, T. (2019), 'Diervilla rivularis' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/diervilla/diervilla-rivularis/). Accessed 2024-10-13.

Common Names

  • Hairy Bush Honeysuckle

Glossary

article
(in Casuarinaceae) Portion of branchlet between each whorl of leaves.

Credits

David Purvis & Tom Christian (2019)

Recommended citation
Purvis, D. & Christian, T. (2019), 'Diervilla rivularis' from the website Trees and Shrubs Online (treesandshrubsonline.org/articles/diervilla/diervilla-rivularis/). Accessed 2024-10-13.

Shrub to 2 m, hairy in all parts. Shoots quadrangular, densely hairy all over including between the nodes. Leaves to 7cm long, ovate to oblong-lanceolate, apex acuminate, margins toothed, usually sessile or with a very short petiole, densely hairy beneath. Inflorescences aggregated forming terminal panicles. Flowers lemon-yellow. Fruit capsule hairy, to 7 mm long (Lance 2004; Cullen et al. 2011).

Distribution  United States Southeastern states, from North Carolina and Tennessee south to northern Georgia and Alabama.

Habitat Bluffs and other rocky habitats, often near watercourses. Uncommon.

USDA Hardiness Zone 5b

RHS Hardiness Rating H7

For a general discussion see the genus article.

'Honeybee'

Synonyms / alternative names
Diwibru01™

A clone with golden-yellow leaves, which may be best in dappled shade rather than full sun (bluebellnursery.com).

Diervilla rivularis 'Honeybee'

The bright early growth of Diervilla rivularis 'Honeybee' (Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery, Derbyshire, UK, June 2024). Image John Grimshaw.

Diervilla rivularis 'Honeybee'

Diervilla rivularis 'Honeybee' in a Buckinghamshire (UK) garden centre, late June 2022. Image Tom Christian.

Diervilla rivularis 'Honeybee'

Diervilla rivularis 'Honeybee' (Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery, Derbyshire, September 2022). Image John Grimshaw.

Diervilla rivularis 'Honeybee'

Diervilla rivularis 'Honeybee' (Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery, Derbyshire, September 2022). Image John Grimshaw.

KODIAK® Series

The KODIAK® Series of Diervilla rivularis cultivars has helped to repopularise the genus in North American horticulture in recent years. Besides interest through the growing season they are also noted for their vivid autumn colours (Hatch 2017).

  • KODIAK® Black distinguished by spring and summer foliage coloured ‘glossy dark purple to dark burgundy-black’
  • KODIAK® Orange with leaves ‘rich reddish-orange at first, more green later’
  • KODIAK® Red ’leaves rich red in spring, becoming green margined and tinged red, new growth all summer remains red’
Diervilla rivularis KODIAK Series

Diervilla KODIAK® Orange in flower (Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, August 2022). Image John Grimshaw.

Diervilla rivularis KODIAK Series

A late summer flush of growth on Diervilla KODIAK® Orange: the spring flush is probably brighter (Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, August 2022). Image John Grimshaw.

'Morton'

Synonyms / alternative names
SUMMER STARS™

This clone was selcted at the Morton Arboretum and introduced to the trade by the Chicagoland Grows programme in 1992. It was selected for its compact growth (60–90 cm height) and its suitability for cultivation in the upper midwest (Hatch 2017).

'Troja Black'

This cultivar is described as having strongly purple-bronze young foliage, maturing dark green through the growing season, and vivid autumn colours. It is also noted for its drought resistance (bluebellnursery.com).

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