Diervilla lonicera ‘Michigan Sunset’ – Northern Bush-honeysuckle – 1.5-Pint

This rugged, long-blooming, pest-free relative of climbing honeysuckles such as Trumpet Honeysuckle is a great low-maintenance choice for foundation plantings, bank stabilization or massing. Spreads somewhat aggressively by rhizomes. The flowers are not as showy as those of Trumpet Honeysuckle, but occur over a long season – as long as the shrub is actively growing. While the flowers only occasionally attract butterflies, they are very popular with native bees. We often find this plant on Catskill mountaintops and have included it in our display garden just below the upper parking area.

‘Michigan Sunset’ is more compact than the species with leaves that are first burgundy, then shiny dark green with hues of copper, eventually bronzy-red in Fall.