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Diervilla ‘Troja Black’
Mountain or Georgia Bush Honeysuckle is a selection of our native Bush Honeysuckle, a small shrub endemic to our southern Appalachians. This low, spreading shrub (3-4’h x 3-5’w) with an arching habit grows well in full sun to part shade at lower elevations like our Piedmont as well as in the mountains. The foliage emerges with a burgundy tint turning to green, and then becoming purplish in the Fall. From June to August, branches are topped by clusters of bright, lemony-yellow tubular flowers which contrast well against the bronze-tinted foliage, and which attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. Spreads by rhizomes. This plant is considered “somewhat threatened” (Nature Conservancy).
Key Info
Scientific Name: Diervilla rivularis Gattinger cv. 'Troja Black'
Common Names: Georgia or Mountain Bush Honeysuckle, 'Troja Black' Mountain Bush Honeysuckle, Hairy Bush Honeysuckle
Family Names: Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)
Plant Type: Tree / Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Flower Color: Yellow
Special Characteristics: Rhizomatous, Attracts bees, Attracts butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Drought tolerant, Good fall color
Additional Info
Habit: Small, multi-stemmed, spreading shrub, colonial.
Height: 3'-4'
Spread: 3-5'
Soil Conditions: Average moisture, unfussy about pH (tolerating acid to alkaline soils) amd texture (sandy, loam, clay).
Leaves: Opposite, lance-shaped, up to 4" long, with toothed margins. Foliage emerges purplish bronze in spring, becoming green with hints of purple in summer, then purple-red in autumn. There is downy pubescence on the underside and on young branchlets. The hairness of the young leaves distinguishes D. rivularis from D. sessilifolia.
Flowers (or reproductive structures: Lemon-yellow, tubular flowers typical of the Honeysuckle genus, clustered at the ends of branches.and in the axils of upper leaves.
Fruit: Dry capsules, not ornamental, in fall. Diervillas have dry seed capsules, whereas their cousins the Loniceras have fleshy, berry-like fruits (wildseedproject.net).
Natural Distribution: The species (Diervilla rivularis) is found in moist wooded areas and roadsides in a few counties in the Southern Appalachians. Extirpated in NC.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: not available
Pollination: Bees, butterflies, moths and hummingbirds
Wildlife Connections: Flowers attract bees, butterflies, moths and hummingbirds.
Propagation: From cuttings.