Diervilla lonicera ‘Wilbraham’

Botanical Name: Diervilla lonicera ‘Wilbraham’

Common Name:
Compact Bush-honeysuckle

Plant Hardiness: Zone 3

Flower: A cluster of small yellow flowers form on the new season’s growth. The flower is like a small honeysuckle bloom – hence its common name

Bloom Time: Early summer, June through July

Foliage: The new leaves may have a hint of red that fades to a strong green. The foliage then turns a bronzy red in the fall

Fruit: A small dry capsule holding many seeds. It turns brown and may hold into winter

Habit: Low growing and spreading. This shrub will send out arching branches that create a full, yet low, mound

Size: No more than 3′ tall but spreading up to 5′ wide

Sun Exposure: Adaptable to both sunny and shady conditions

Native Habitat: Northeastern United States and Canada

Other Features: Deer resistant

Category:

Description

Description: It is native to the eastern United States from Newfoundland to North Carolina; and although it seems to have a wide range of soil tolerance, the ones I’ve found growing native were primarily in rather damp, shaded areas with acid soil. It’s a low shrub, growing not more than 3 feet high, spreading perhaps to 5 feet under good conditions, nice clean foliage on arching branches and relatively bronzy fall foliage color. The flower is bright yellow and somewhat like honeysuckle, although much smaller than the typical honeysuckle flower and relatively inconspicuous. This plant would make a good ground cover in both shady and sunny locations, especially damp, but also dry, conditions. Jeff Thompson, when at Northern Nurseries, first mentioned this plant to me and gave me cuttings of what Tom Dilatush thinks is an excellent form. Tom suggested we name this clone, so Jeff named it ‘Wilbraham’ since its origin was Wilbraham, Massachusetts.