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Diervilla lonicera - Mill.

Common Name Bush Honeysuckle, Northern bush honeysuckle
Family Caprifoliaceae
USDA hardiness 3-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry gravelly soils[200] in woodlands[235].
Range Eastern N. America - Newfoundland to Florida.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Diervilla lonicera Bush Honeysuckle, Northern bush honeysuckle


USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British Possessions. Vol. 3: 283.
Diervilla lonicera Bush Honeysuckle, Northern bush honeysuckle
http://flickr.com/photos/70668033%40N00/

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Mid summer. Form: Spreading or horizontal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Diervilla lonicera is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

D. canadensis. Willd. D. humilis. Pers.

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Diuretic  Galactogogue  Laxative  Narcotic  Ophthalmic

The leaves are diuretic[257]. A compound decoction has been used in the treatment of stomach aches[257]. This contrasts with a report that the leaves contain a narcotic principle, inducing nausea[207]. The plant is used as a gargle in catarrhal angina[207]. The root is diuretic, galactogogue, laxative and ophthalmic[257]. A cooled infusion has been used as an eyewash for sore eyes[257]. The bark is laxative and ophthalmic[257]. An infusion has been used to increase milk flow in a nursing mother and as an eyewash for sore eyes[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

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Other Uses

Soil stabilization

The plants stoloniferous habit makes it useful for soil stabilization on banks and slopes[200].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden, Woodland garden. Succeeds in a moist fertile well-drained soil and is not fussy as to soil type[200]. Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[188]. Plants are hardy to about -30°c[200]. This species is a spreading suckering plant[11], it makes a useful understorey planting in woodlands[200]. Any pruning can be carried out in the winter or after flowering[188]. 2 or 3 year old stems can be removed in order to promote a more shapely bush[188]. Flowers are produced on the current seasons growth[11]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200]. Special Features: North American native, Attractive flowers or blooms.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no information on this species but suggest sowing the seed in a cold frame as soon as it is ripe if possible, otherwise in late winter or early spring. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division of suckers in the spring[200]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[188]. Cuttings of mature wood, late autumn in a frame[188].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Québec (south), Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Saskatchewan (southeast), Manitoba (south)), United States (Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin, Maryland (west), North Carolina (west), Tennessee, Virginia (west))

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Mill.

Botanical References

11200

Links / References

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