This is the northern cousin of Southern Bush Honeysuckle. While it is primarily native to the Northeast and Midwest United States, parts of its range do extend into Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia. This plant has beautiful dark green foliage, with the youngest foliage emerging red/purple and turning green over time. The yellow flowers are small and somewhat inconspicuous but have a long bloom period. This small shrub is a great choice for a shrub border as it spreads to form thickets, and looks particularly stunning when grouped in masses.

Care requirements:

Light requirements: Full Sun-Part Shade

Water requirements: Low-Medium

Soil requirements: Dry-Medium

Bloom time: June-July

Bloom color: Yellow

Height: 2-3 feet

Width: 2-4 feet

USDA Zone: 3-8

Larval host: Laurel Sphinx, Snowberry Clearwing moths

Other notes: Flowers are self-infertile, so at least 2 or 3 plants are recommended for the plant to set fruit. Fruit is popular with songbirds. Its foliage is most impressive when grown in full sun, but does best in places with cool summers. In places with very hot summers, this plant is best grown in part shade. Prune immediately after flowering. North Bush Honeysuckle is drought tolerant and has good fall color, with foliage turning a deep red/purple.

Emily’s notes: I have 2 Northern Bush Honeysuckle plants in my yard planted right next to each other. One receives about 2 more hours of sun per day and is planted in sandy soil, while the other is planted in more moisture-retentive loam. Even though they are planted right next to each other, the plant that receives more sun and stays drier struggles every summer and tends to have some die-back when it becomes really hot (90+ degrees). Since I live at the most southern part of its range, Northern Bush Honeysuckle does better as a part-shade plant or with more moisture when grown in full sun. My plants are prolific bloomers, with constant blooms from early spring into late summer.

Do you have Northern Bush Honeysuckle growing in your garden? Do you have any tips or tricks for growing it you would like to share? Do you know of any Southeastern nurseries that regularly stock it? Let us know in the comments!