If you’re searching for a low-growing, rugged shrub that provides multi-season interest without the invasive headache of other honeysuckles, consider Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle. This is a mounding, woody perennial that is great for dry, difficult shady areas. In early summer, it produces delicate, lemon-yellow trumpet flowers that are a magnet for the tiniest of garden visitors. It starts with dark green foliage that turns yellow-orange, then into vibrant shades of red and purple in the fall.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade to Shade
Water Needs Low to Medium; highly drought-tolerant once established
Soil Type Adaptable; thrives in Dry Sand, Rocky soil, or dry Clay
Mature Height 2 – 3 feet
Deer Resistance Moderate
Bloom Time June – August
Bloom Color Yellow
Plant Spacing 2 – 3 feet
Three Seasons of Color: Bronze spring buds, yellow summer flowers ending with beautiful red autumn foliage.
Somewhat Aggressive Spreader: Spready by rhizomes and can overwhelm small landscapes. Keep this in mind when choosing your planting location
Will spread to form thickets over time, making it a good choice for shrub borders or hedgerows.
Bumblebees: The small yellow blossoms are perfectly designed for bumblebees and other long-tongued native bees to crawl inside.
Hummingbirds: Though the flowers are small, their nectar is high-energy and often visited by hummingbirds patrolling the garden.
Host Plant to the Laurel Sphinx moth and the Snowberry Clearwing.
Pro Tip: Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle is incredibly forgiving when it comes to pruning. If it ever begins to look a bit unruly or "leggy" after a few years, you can cut it back nearly to the ground in late winter or early spring. It will roar back with fresh, colorful new growth and a tighter, more compact shape. It’s one of the few shrubs that actually enjoys a "fresh start" every now and then!
If you’re searching for a low-growing, rugged shrub that provides multi-season interest without the invasive headache of other honeysuckles, consider Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle. This is a mounding, woody perennial that is great for dry, difficult shady areas. In early summer, it produces delicate, lemon-yellow trumpet flowers that are a magnet for the tiniest of garden visitors. It starts with dark green foliage that turns yellow-orange, then into vibrant shades of red and purple in the fall.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade to Shade
Water Needs Low to Medium; highly drought-tolerant once established
Soil Type Adaptable; thrives in Dry Sand, Rocky soil, or dry Clay
Mature Height 2 – 3 feet
Deer Resistance Moderate
Bloom Time June – August
Bloom Color Yellow
Plant Spacing 2 – 3 feet
Three Seasons of Color: Bronze spring buds, yellow summer flowers ending with beautiful red autumn foliage.
Somewhat Aggressive Spreader: Spready by rhizomes and can overwhelm small landscapes. Keep this in mind when choosing your planting location
Will spread to form thickets over time, making it a good choice for shrub borders or hedgerows.
Bumblebees: The small yellow blossoms are perfectly designed for bumblebees and other long-tongued native bees to crawl inside.
Hummingbirds: Though the flowers are small, their nectar is high-energy and often visited by hummingbirds patrolling the garden.
Host Plant to the Laurel Sphinx moth and the Snowberry Clearwing.
Pro Tip: Dwarf Bush Honeysuckle is incredibly forgiving when it comes to pruning. If it ever begins to look a bit unruly or "leggy" after a few years, you can cut it back nearly to the ground in late winter or early spring. It will roar back with fresh, colorful new growth and a tighter, more compact shape. It’s one of the few shrubs that actually enjoys a "fresh start" every now and then!
