Diervilla rivularis Honeybee

The Diervilla rivularis 'Honeybee' is a deciduous bush appreciated for its easy cultivation, its vibrant yellow-green golden foliage and its exceptionally honey-scented golden yellow tubular flower clusters. Once well developed, it forms a vigorous spreading bush that tolerates sunny to semi-shaded exposures and all soils that are not too chalky, even slightly dry in summer. It is a particularly useful choice for bringing light to darker corners or for decorating spaces where other bushes struggle to establish. Its modest dimensions allow for cultivation in containers or pots in smaller gardens.

The Diervilla rivularis 'Honeybee' is a horticultural selection derived from the Diervilla rivularis, commonly known as the Riverbank Bush Honeysuckle, a species native to the undergrowth of the southern United States. Similar to weigela and shrubby honeysuckle, this suckering bush from the caprifoliaceae family has a spreading habit, with multiple stems originating from the stump, and the ability to effectively cover the ground. When mature, it will reach a height of 80 cm (31.5 in) and a width of 100 cm (39.4 in), with its lateral growth being easily controlled by removing suckers or planting other vigorous undergrowth plants alongside it. Its foliage consists of ovate, elongated leaves with a pointed tip, slightly wavy. Its leaves have a very bright yellow-green golden colour that persists from spring to autumn. At the end of the season, the leaves dry up and fall. Its generous summer flowering, highly appreciated by pollinators, occurs from June to August. Its golden yellow flowers, washed with varying shades of pink at the opening, gathered in clusters, will bloom on the previous year's wood, with a lovely purple colour. This Diervilla will provide you with abundant flowering, even in semi-shaded exposures and in the roots of trees where it particularly thrives. The vibrant and contrasting colours bring a lot of personality to the overall appearance. The Riverbank Diervilla is less resistant to water shortage than its cousin Diervilla (x) splendens, but it can tolerate occasional dry periods.

As an undemanding ground cover, it is suited to all exposures and all types of soil without excessive chalkiness, and not too dry. The colouration of its foliage is more intense under brighter exposures. Its small size is ideal for small gardens, enclosed spaces, or steep slopes. It retains and stabilizes embankments thanks to its suckers (underground stems bearing roots). It is also an ideal choice for filling in an undergrowth. It will work very well in a rose garden or in combination with small bushes and medium-sized perennials with blue or violet flowering, such as veronicas, nepetas, asters, and shrubs with coloured stems, such as dogwoods for example.

This bush was brought back from the Arcadia region during Sieur de Dierville's 17th-century voyage.