Diervilla, or bush honeysuckle, is a genus of tough, native North American shrubs known for their low-maintenance nature, tolerance for difficult conditions (sun, shade, dry/wet soil), bright yellow summer flowers, and colorful foliage (bronze, red, yellow) that provides great Autumn interest, making them ideal for slopes, borders, and naturalizing. They spread by suckers to form thickets, attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, and are generally pest and disease-free.

Being generally quite low growing, at around 2-4ft tall, and spreading as suckers, these shrubs are great for ground stabilisation along banks as well as creating low hedges, in mixed borders and in natural woodland settings. The foliage colour is best in full sun but Diervilla are also tolerant of partial shade and are able to thrive in a variety of soil conditions including acidic, alkaline, clay, sand, wet, and dry.

How to plant

— Plant Diervilla bare roots in spring, when supplied, between February and May. Ideally they should be planted within a week of delivery. As with all bare roots, they will require attention very soon after delivery, they cannot be stored in the packaging for prolonged periods. If you can't plant on the day of delivery, remove from the packaging and place the root in a bucket of water outside to soak, then plant within a week.

— Soak the roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting. It is usually fine to plant bare root shrubs directly into borders, providing the soil is good quality, free draining and free of weeds. New shrubs should be given a space which is clear of competing established plants. If planting direct, dig a hole in a well-cultivated border large enough to fit the roots so that they will be fully submerged after planting, the stem and branches should remain above the soil surface after planting. Ensure the hole is the correct depth so that the soil is level with the point at which the roots meet the stem.

— You can offer improved growing conditions for better results by mixing in some organic matter like compost or leaf mould to the planting hole. This provides a soft and nutrient-rich medium and to help the roots settle in and grow. Avoid adding too much organic matter or manure to the planting hole as this can be too rich and damage the young roots.

— Position the shrub in the hole with the best side facing into the garden. Backfill the hole with soil and firm down, ensuring the base of the stem is level with the soil surface. Water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots and hydrate the plant.

— If you have challenging growing conditions/poor soil (heavy clay or light sandy soil) or if the border isn't ready for planting, it is best to pot up your bare root shrub so it can grow on and establish before transferring into a border later in the year. Pot up the bare root into a 20-30cm temporary pot using multipurpose or soil based compost. Ensure the roots are fully submerged with the base of the stem level with the soil surface. Water thoroughly and allow the shrub to grow-on in a sheltered position outside. The shrub can be transplanted to borders once growth is established and the plant easily comes out of the pot with the soil held together in a root ball.

— When planting into the garden, choose a position in full sun or partial shade with moist but well-drained soil.

— This shrub is deciduous and will lose its leaves for winter. New leaves will begin to grow in spring. It is fully hardy and does not require winter protection.

— Water immediately after planting and continue regularly throughout the first year while the shrub settles. Once established, watering should only be necessary during particularly dry spells.

Aftercare

— Diervilla is supplied as bare root in a dormant state and will not usually be in full leaf on arrival. Leaves will begin to emerge in spring from around March/April.

— Keep the surrounding soil consistently moist in the first year. During hot/dry weather, water the area thoroughly in the evening or early morning to ensure moisture reaches the roots.

— From the second or third year onwards, prune in early-mid spring by cutting to three buds above the older woodier framework. In the first 1-2 years, a light trim is sufficient to help the shrub buch out and to maintain a nice shape. In winter or early spring before the leaves emerge, remove any dead/dying branches/stems and also any very old stems if the framework seems crowded. This makes space for new and more prodocutive stems to grow and maintains plant health.

— Apply a mulch of organic matter in winter or spring to feed the shrub and help retain moisture in the soil.

Read further general instructions about planting bare-root shrubs