Bush Honeysuckle is a name given to any of three species of deciduous shrubs of the genus Diervilla in the family Caprifoliaceae. The three species are Diervilla sessilifolia (Southern bush honeysuckle), Diervilla lonicera (Northern bush honeysuckle) and Diervilla rivularis (Mountain bush honeysuckle). All are indigenous to eastern North America. Other species formerly included here can now be found under the genus Weigela. Diervilla is named after a French surgeon Dr. Dierville, who introduced the plant to Europe around 1700.

The bush honeysuckles are low in height (1-2 m), of small to medium diameter (1-2 m), and develop into colonies by means of spreading underground rhizomes. Their leaves are simple, opposite and either oval or lanceolate in shape with a toothed edge. The fall color varies between yellow, orange and red. Small tubular flowers, typically pale yellow, are produced in June and July.

Diervilla species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Common Emerald and The Engrailed.

The bush honeysuckles are commonly confused with the common wild honeysuckle (Lonicera tartarica), or the Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), both members of the closely related genus Lonicera.

Alternative names

• Northern bush honeysuckle: Low bush honeysuckle, Dwarf bush honeysuckle, Yellow-flowered upright honeysuckle, Life-of-Man.
• Mountain bush honeysuckle: Georgia bush honeysuckle, Hairy bush honeysuckle

Caprifoliaceae

Diervilla | Diervilla | Diervilla