Kodiak Fresh™ Diervilla
Shrub
- Lime green and yellow foliage are eye-catching!
- Fall foliage rivals that of burning bush.
- Native, drought-tolerant, & easy to grow in sun or shade
- Zones 3-8, sun/part sun/shade, 3' tall and wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Diervilla is a hard-working, easy-care landscape shrub that can be grown as a hedge, border, specimen, or mixed with other plants. Colorful foliage resists pests and disease, keeping its appeal all season long. Since it thrives in sun and shade, it's easy to find a spot for this shrub in your landscape!
Details
Patent #: PP 34,138
Common name: Diervilla, bush honeysuckle
Zone: 3 – 8
Sun exposure: Sun, part sun, shade
Height x width: 2-3′ tall x wide
Flower color: Yellow
Foliage color: Lime green
Season of Interest: Summer thru fall
Bloom time: Summer
Features: Rare & unusual, Proven Winners, fall color, dry soils, drought tolerant, cold tolerant
Uses: Accent, background, container gardening, foundation planting, hedge plant, ornamental, rock garden, small spaces
How to Grow
Light: Sun/partial shade/shade.
Water: Average water needs. Water regularly; do not over water.
Spacing: 2-3′
Fertilizing: Fertilizer needs are low. If you wish, apply a granular garden or rose fertilizer in early spring.
Winterizing: No specific care needed.
Maintenance & pruning: Requires no regular pruning, but may be pruned in early spring to promote dense, new growth.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.
Last fall I ordered a Kodiak Fresh diervilla and some other plants. I was a little hesitant to buy such small plants. They all arrived in very healthy condition and I promptly planted them, tucked them in for the winter, and hoped for the best. Today is March 31 and this plant has emerged strong and healthy (I'm in Atlanta). I am thrilled and can't wait to see it as it grows.
Plants arrived quickly and in great shape. They bounced right back from shipping. Thank you!
My Kodiak Fresh diervilla arrived packaged well, in great shape, and it is doing great a month later.
Plants look very healthy. Plan to plant them tomorrow, 11-15-25.
Good sized plants for pot size, received promptly and in good condition.
Plant arrived very healthy so no complaints there- but this is my second variety and I chose them for their ability to grow anywhere- and they do! But the growth habit is somewhat ugly. The branches droop over along the ground in all directions and just the ends keep foliage- so you have a bare spot with ugly branches where you want the plant and then a 3 foot ring around it you have greenery. Not sure if this is just because it’s new? We’ll see what next year brings
Hello! Diervilla is a naturally suckering shrub - not really intensely, it's easy to manage, but it does grow suckers. Once once it emerges in the outdoors next spring, it should be fine - just needs some fresh air and sunshine. If you have any additional questions, our team of horticulture experts are here to help! Feel free to send us some photos and your questions to [email protected]. Happy Gardening!
These plants arrived in good shape, and it was about a week before I could plant them. They are doing very well: it has been a month and they all have nestled in and have new growth. I am pleased with how they arrived and have adapted.
I’ve tried this plant twice in 2 locations and even nursed it in a 1gal pot. It failed both times. I’m a long time we’ll experienced Master Gardener. -South Deschutes Co OR
Hello! We're sorry that you've had trouble with your Diervilla. Please email pictures of the plant to [email protected], making sure to put your order number and name in the subject line so that we may provide the best assistance possible. Rest assured, we do have a 60-day guarantee on all of our plants. If you received your plants within that timeframe, we will be happy to apply your warranty once we receive the pictures. Happy Gardening!
Great healthy plants. Packaging was good and order was correct. Will consider purchasing plants from them again in the future.
My Kodiak Fresh diervilla is thriving after one month. You are right. It seems to be easy to grow since we've had periods of rain and weeks of dry weather during that month. The plant is showing significant growth, and the leaves are already very colorful. I am very pleased.
I live in zone 5a and want to plant Kodiak Fresh Diervilla in an extra large container (2’ wide, 3’ deep) in a part to full shade location. If I did this as a permanent planting would the plant be okay over winters and over the long term?
We'd recommend a slightly larger pot for a long-term location due to it's mature size being 3 feet tall and wide. Check out our blog for some tips on overwintering your plants in pots: https://blog.greatgardenplants.com/5-easy-tips-for-protecting-your-potted-plants-this-winter/
Is this shrub evergreen?
Hello! Kodiak Fresh™ Diervilla is not evergreen. However, it does have fall colors that steal the show. Shades of orange and red ignite the landscape, rivaling burning bush.
Does this spread as bad as regular honeysuckle?
No, it is not invasive and in fact, it's not a honeysuckle at all. Honeysuckles are the species Lonicera; Diervilla is the species of this plant. And while both are in the same botanical family, they have totally different flowers shapes and growth habits.
Are the Kodiak-Fresh Diervilla resistant to deer?
Deer do not severely damage diervilla, but they do sometimes munch new growth in spring.