Plant Encyclopedia

Other Names:  Bush Honeysuckle

Group/Class:  Kodiak Series

Brand:  Proven Winners

Description:

This shrub is a standout with its dark burgundy-black foliage which is more intense in the spring and fall; bright yellow flowers in early summer add contrast; this tough adaptable plant is great for challenging landscape areas

Ornamental Features

Kodiak® Black Diervilla features showy panicles of yellow trumpet-shaped flowers along the branches from early to mid summer. It has burgundy-variegated dark green foliage with hints of black which emerges dark red in spring. The pointy leaves turn outstanding shades of burgundy and black in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Kodiak® Black Diervilla is a dense multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a mounded form. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds to your yard. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Suckering

Kodiak® Black Diervilla is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Kodiak® Black Diervilla will grow to be about 4 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It tends to fill out right to the ground and therefore doesn't necessarily require facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist growing conditions, but will not tolerate any standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species.

Kodiak® Black Diervilla makes a fine choice for the outdoor landscape, but it is also well-suited for use in outdoor pots and containers. Because of its height, it is often used as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. It is even sizeable enough that it can be grown alone in a suitable container. Note that when grown in a container, it may not perform exactly as indicated on the tag - this is to be expected. Also note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden.