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Kodiak® Black Diervilla rivularis

Flower Season
  • Summer
  • Fall
Mature Size
4' 4' 1.2m 1.2m
Height: 3' - 4'
Spread: 3' - 4'
Height: 91cm - 1.2m
Spread: 91cm - 1.2m
  • Details

    36 - 48 Inches
    48 - 60 Inches
    36 - 48 Inches
    91cm - 1.2m
    1.2m - 1.5m
    91cm - 1.2m

    Features

    Looking for an adaptable native plant that's drought-tolerant, deer-resistant and colorful? This is it!

    Diervilla just got a lot more colorful: this tough, easy-growing shrub is a standout with its dark burgundy-black foliage. The color is especially intense in spring and autumn. The bright yellow flowers add contrast in early summer. This is a durable native that thrives in sun or shade, and is a very useful landscape plant. 

    Top three reasons to grow Kodiak® Black Diervilla:

    • One of the best shade-tolerant shrubs (though color is more intense in sun or part shade)
    • Never without clusters of yellow flowers during the summer
    • Dramatic black-purple foliage all season with vivid red tones in autumn
    Foliage Interest
    Fall Interest
    Drought Tolerant
    Erosion Control
    Attracts: 
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resists: 
    Deer
    Native to North America

    Characteristics

    Plant Type: 
    Shrub
    Shrub Type: 
    Deciduous
    Height Category: 
    Medium
    Garden Height: 
    36 - 48 Inches 91cm - 1.2m
    Spacing: 
    48 - 60 Inches 1.2m - 1.5m
    Spread: 
    36 - 48 Inches 91cm - 1.2m
    Flower Colors: 
    Yellow
    Foliage Colors: 
    Green
    Foliage Colors: 
    Purple
    Foliage Shade: 
    Burgundy-black
    Habit: 
    Spreading
    Container Role: 
    Thriller

    Plant Needs

    Light Requirement: 
    Full Shade
    Light Requirement: 
    Part Shade to Shade
    Light Requirement: 
    Part Sun to Sun
    Light Requirement: 
    Sun
    Light Requirement: 
    Sun or Shade

    The optimum amount of sun or shade each plant needs to thrive: Full Sun (6+ hours), Part Sun (4-6 hours), Full Shade (up to 4 hours).

    Maintenance Category: 
    Easy
    Blooms On: 
    New Wood
    Bloom Time: 
    Summer
    Hardiness Zones: 
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
    Water Category: 
    Average
    Uses: 
    Border Plant
    Uses: 
    Landscape
    Uses: 
    Mass Planting
    Uses Notes: 

    Naturalizing; mass plantings

    Maintenance Notes: 

    Adaptable to most soils, including dry ones. Trim in spring and apply a controlled-release fertilizer.

    Fun Facts: 

    Though it is sometimes called "bush honeysuckle," Diervilla is not invasive. They work well for naturalizing an area as they spread a little bit by suckering.

    Kodiak® Black Diervilla rivularis 'SMNDRSF' USPP 27,550, Can 5,938
  • 6 Reviews

    5
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    2
    1
    1
    Browse reviews from people who have grown this plant.
    • I have 3 of the Kodiak blacks, planted in 2021 in part sun. They are still small because the bunnies chew them to the ground over the winter. They must be pretty tasty! I put some fencing around each one this spring, so I’m hoping to see some extended growth and flowering this season.

      Suze
      , Illinois
      , United States
      , 1 year ago
    • I have 3 of the Kodiak blacks, planted in 2021 in part sun. They are still small because the bunnies chew them to the ground over the winter. They must be pretty tasty! I put some fencing around each one this spring, so I’m hoping to see some extended growth and flowering this season.

      Suze
      , Illinois
      , United States
      , 1 year ago
    • Love this shrub. Was planted last year at the end of the season and is going gangbusters this year. Covered with yellow flowers that pollinators love. I can't say enough positive things about this shrub. Highly recommend. Mine is planted in full sun but thinking of getting more to try in shade.

      Tony
      , 2 years ago
    • This is a beautiful plant. It is so healthy and lovely. It has grown effortlessly on its own (with amended soil, probably some bone meal) but in a very windy area near the sea. It is absolutely colorful and rich. So happy with it so far. Planted in 2020 and we're now June 2021. It's my covid baby! I just planted At Last Roses x 3, Peonies, Canna, Burning Bush, Honeysuckle Hedge, Wine and Roses Weigelia, and some others that I can't remember at the moment. Hoping for the best showing this season but I know another yeAR WILL make all the difference. Love the dirt and the plants!

      Glenda Michaud
      , Nova Scotia
      , Canada
      , 2 years ago
    • This is grown so well in my hot, dry, clay soil with little care. The foliage and flowers look pretty

      Jennifer Winship
      , British Columbia
      , Canada
      , 5 years ago
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