Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Cool Splash Low Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla sessilifolia ‘LPDC Podaras’) features striking variegated foliage with bright white margins. During June and July, clusters of yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers appear on compact, mounded stems, creating a lively summer display. Reaching around 2.5 to 4.5 feet tall and wide, this shrub stands out in both small gardens and larger landscapes without crowding other plants. Its crisp leaf edges offer eye-catching contrast, setting it apart from typical honeysuckles.
In addition to its charming appearance, Cool Splash Low Bush Honeysuckle handles various soil types as long as they drain well. It tolerates both full sun and partial shade, granting flexibility in placement. Deer resistance and moderate drought tolerance reduce maintenance demands, while the blooms support butterflies and other pollinators. Use it in mass plantings for a coordinated show of color, or feature it in mixed borders and pots for a splash of interest in shaded or sunny areas.
Cool Splash Low Bush Honeysuckle Care
Plant this shrub in loamy, sandy, or clay soil that stays moderately moist yet drains efficiently. A site with at least four hours of daily sunlight encourages stronger variegation, though partial shade also works. Water regularly during the initial growing season, letting the top inch of soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent root issues. An all-purpose, slow-release fertilizer applied in spring can boost healthy leaf and flower development. Add a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the base to help conserve moisture and maintain even soil temperatures.
Prune right after the main flowering period to shape the plant and remove any weak stems. Occasional thinning at the base helps reinvigorate older shrubs if they become overgrown. Container-grown specimens may require light pruning for tidiness. In colder areas, a layer of mulch can provide extra root protection over winter months.
Cool Splash Low Bush Honeysuckle Spacing
When creating a hedge or mass planting, place shrubs about 2.5 to 3 feet apart for a dense, cohesive look. For a more informal layout in mixed borders, leave up to 4 feet of space between plants. If you plan to grow it in a container, pick one that is at least 14 to 16 inches wide, offering enough room for root development. Adjust container size as the shrub matures to prevent root crowding.
Cool Splash® Low Bush Honeysuckle Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 4 to 8 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop)
- Sun Exposure
- Full Sun (6+ Hours Direct Sun)
- Mature Height
- 2-4 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 2-4 Feet
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Growth Habit
- , Mounded
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Yellow
- Flower Description
- Yellow to creamy white
- Bloom Time
- Late Spring to Early Summer
- Blooms On
-
New Wood
?
"Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune.
- New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms.
- Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms.
- Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms.
- When to Prune
- Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts
- Foliage Color
- , Green, White
- Foliage Description
- Green, White
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Cool Splash Low Bush Honeysuckle
- Also Known As
- southern bush honeysuckle
- Botanical Name
- Diervilla sessilifolia 'Cool Splash'
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
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This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
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