Diervilla × splendens (Carrière) Kirchner

Diervilla × splendens (Bluebell Arboretum and Nursery, Derbyshire, September 2022). Image John Grimshaw.

'Diwibru02'

A clone with brightly coloured foliage. In spring the leaves emerge green with a silvery margin; by summer the green centre has darkend and taken on a bronze flush whilst the margins appear lime-green. When autumn colour develops plants appear tricoloured. Selected by William de Bruijn and marketed in Europe from about 2021 (SAPHO 2025). It should not be confused with D. rivularis ‘Honeybee’.

'El Madrigal'

A very recent introduction to horticulture, this clone is described as having rich dark burgundy-red to purplish-red, highly textured foliage, contrasting markedly with the yellow flowers, retaining its colouration all through summer and followed by very rich-red autumn colour (Hatch 2017).

Persistently dark foliage is the main attraction of Diervilla 'El Madrigal' but the flowers are quite pleasant too (Yorkshire Arboretum, UK, June 2021). Image John Grimshaw.

KODIAK^® Series

The KODIAK^® Series cultivars have been developed in the United States by Michael Uchneat who initially selected three clones that stood out for the colour of their foliage through the growing season and the quality of their autumn colours; KODIAK^® BLACK, KODIAK^® ORANGE and KODIAK^® RED (Proven Winners 2025; Hatch 2017). These tough and reliable plants were marketed under the highly regarded ProvenWinners^® label and were hugely successful; indeed they have been a major factor in the renaissance of the genus in North American horticulture and by extension in Europe and beyond, too. Latterly further clones have been marketed in this series, extending the range and intensity of foliage colours yet further. All tolerate some shade but the colours are at their best when plants get a good amount of sun through at least part of the day (Proven Winners 2025).

Several authorities have treated the series under Diervilla rivularis and this view was adopted on Trees and Shrubs Online when this genus was first revised in 2019, but by the time of a minor revision in 2025 the majority view, including that of Uchneat himself, is that these clones are mostly of hybrid origin and are better treated under D. × splendens (Royal Horticultural Society 2025; The Tree Center 2025).

'G2X885411'

Leaves emerging bright red in spring, the older leaves developing a green margin as the season progresses but new growth a consistent bright red. Perhaps the most striking of the three original clones in this series, but considered by the marketers to have been improved upon by KODIAK^® RED 2.0.

'G2X88544'

With leaves rich orange-red at first, turning green later in the season.

Diervilla KODIAK® ORANGE in flower; the spring flush is probably brighter (Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, August 2022). Image John Grimshaw.

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

'G2x88544var'

A variegated plant, the leaves with an irregular green centre, the outer parts flushing pale pink and turning cream-white as the season progresses. As with all diervillas plants continue to produce new growth throughout the summer so this clone exhibits pink- and cream-variegated foliage at the same time.

'SMNDRSF'

Distinguished by spring and summer foliage glossy dark purple to dark burgundy-black. One of the three original clones and still popular, but now improved upon by the darker, more intensely coloured KODIAK^® JET BLACK.

'SMNDSD'

An improvement on the original KODIAK^® RED with richer, longer-lasting and more reliable colour through the growing season.

'SMNDSF'

New growth orange to copper-coloured, contrasting with burgundy stems. The leaves turn green as the season progresses but retain a coppery hue and the new growth continues to be coppery.

'SMNDSN'

An improvement on KODIAK^® BLACK with darker, even more intensely coloured leaves.

'SMNDSS'

Foliage a consistent fresh lime green through the growing season.

MAGICAL^® Series

'Bocomadade'

A selection raised in the Netherlands by Boot & Dart Boomkwekerijen bv of Boskoop, introduced in 2024. It is a compact plant with some of the darkest leaves the genus has to offer, and notably it does not sucker as readily as many selections (groen-direkt.nl accessed 05/08/2025).

'Bokofire'

A selection with young growth emerging bronze, turning bright yellow with age, often retaining a bronze hue. Autumn colour orange-red. Raised by Boot & Co Boomkwekerijen BV, the Netherlands, and marketed in Europe under the the MAGICAL^® Series from the early 2020s (SAPHO 2025).

'Bokomastani'

Another introduction from Boot & Co Boomkwekerijen BV, the Netherlands, marketed in Europe under the MAGICAL^® Series, STARRY NIGHT is described as ‘the darkest Diervilla’ on account of its very deep purple-black leaf colour which is maintained even when grown in (light) shade. Introduced in the 2020s (SAPHO 2025).