Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Kodiak Black Diervilla is a great compact deciduous plant choice for introducing dark burgundy-black foliage into your perennial garden or boring all green shrub border. It also produces clusters of yellow trumpet-shaped flowers along its branches in early summer on new growth. The half-inch flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
This deciduous shrub drops its glossy leaves in the fall. The new green leaves that emerge in the spring quickly change to a dark red variegated color that becomes even darker in the fall. This plant can be grown in sun or shade conditions in USDA plant hardiness zones 5 to 8. This dense multi-stemmed mounded shrub matures to be 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. The multiple stems fill out this plant beginning at ground level.
Kodiak Black Diervilla Care
Kodiak Black Diervilla rivularis 'SMNDRSF' is a native North American species. It does require some maintenance to remove suckers that occasionally sprout. Prune in late winter or early spring. It’s drought-tolerant and deer resistant.
Kodiak Black Diervilla Spacing
This plant can be used in mass plantings, perennial borders, naturalized woodland gardens, foundation plantings and as a container plant. It is sometimes referred to as honeysuckle bush but it’s not invasive like some honeysuckles are. Space plants 4 to 5 feet apart on center.
Interesting Fact(s) - Diervilla is sometimes called "bush honeysuckle," but this species is not invasive at all, like some honeysuckles are.
Kodiak® Black Diervilla Plant Facts
Growing Conditions
- Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones
- USDA Zones 5 to 7 (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 Shade to Full Sun (Most Sun Conditions)
- Mature Height
- 3-4 Feet
- Mature Spread
- 3-4 Feet
- Growth Habit
- , Mounded
- Water Needs
- Average
Flowers & Foliage
- Flower Colors
- , Yellow
- Flower Description
- Yellow
- Bloom Time
- 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
- , Purple, Black
- Foliage Description
- Green to Purple
- Foliage Type
- , Deciduous
- Seasonal Interest
- , Summer Flowering, Fall Interest, 3 Season Interest
Garden Benefits
Plant Overview
- Common Name
- Kodiak® Black Diervilla
- Also Known As
- Mountain Bush Honeysuckle; Hairy Bush-honeysuckle
- Botanical Name
- Diervilla rivularis 'SMNDRSF' USPP 27,550
- Brand
- Proven Winners
- Plant Type
- Deciduous
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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We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
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.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!