Diervilla Sessilifolia Shrub

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Table of Contents

Classification
General characteristics
Recommended cultivators
Landscape/ornamental uses
Geographic region or native habitat
Environmental tolerances and intolerances
Notable insects and diseases
Key identification characteristics
Works Cited

Classification

Botanical name: Diervilla sessilifolia

Common name: Southern Bush Honeysuckle

Plant family: Caprifoliaceae

General characteristics

Diervilla sessilifolia is a low and soft-wooded shrub. It grows up to five feet tall, but it spreads out from the bottom. The leaves are opposite, simple, and deciduous. They are also toothed with short petioles, but in some cases, the petioles are lacking (Cullina 110). The twigs are slender, and they have longitudinal ridges with multiple of these ridges extending downwards starting from the lines linking opposite leaf petioles or leaf scars where leaves are absent.

The twigs’ colors range from brown or greenish-brown to straw. Bud scales are abundantly found at the base of young twigs. The buds have the same colors as the twigs. This plant has terminal buds except in cases where terminal flower or fruit clusters have displaced the buds. The buds are covered with multiple keeled and pointed scales.

The leaf scars are only raised slightly, and their forms vary from crescent to V-shaped (Cullina 110). The opposite leaf scars converge at the stem, but in some cases, a transverse ridge joins them. They have three bundles of scars, but they lack stipule scars. The fruits are capsule-like with an oval shape, and thin neck and they are borne at the terminal or subterminal clusters ranging from two to six, and the fruiting occurs mainly in the winter.

Leaves have petioles, which are normally less than four millimeters, but in some cases, they may be absent. The twigs are almost square on the cross-section side. Also, the leaves are opposite with lance-like shape and toothed finely with a rounded base and narrow apex.

Conventionally, the leaves’ sizes lie from five to eighteen centimeters. In most cases, the petioles are lacking, and if present, they are less than four millimeters as aforementioned. The flowers are sulfur yellow, and they occur in clusters not exceeding seven in number. Branches form from the lateral buds.

Recommended cultivators

The recommended cultivator is the ‘butterfly’ variety as it produces the appealing deep-yellow blooms and dark green leaves with a glossy coating, which turns purple during the fall (Simeone 54). These characteristics are recommendable as they suit the ornamental purpose of the plant. Also, this variety is highly adaptable, and it can survive in a wide array of climatic conditions. It even survives in windy and cold environmental conditions.

Landscape/ornamental uses

Diervilla sessilifolia is mostly used for ornamental and fencing purposes. Given its low-growing suckering habits, this shrub provides an elegant spreading cover, which grows up to 5 feet tall. During the summer, the flowers bloom in clusters of bright sulfur-yellow blossoms at a young age, and they change to the eye-appealing orange-yellow, as they grow older (Swanson 353). The attractive flowers are tubular and thus, humming birds, butterflies, and bees are commonly found on these shrubs.

Also, in the spring, fresh leaves emerge, and they are brown, which changes gradually to dark green during the summer and ultimately changes to reddish-purple in the fall. Such characteristics place this shrub among the most preferred ornamental plants in different areas. Therefore, the shrub serves dual purposes as an ornament and fence as most people prefer to plant it as a decorative fence.

On landscape uses, Diervilla sessilifolia is an ideal plant for soil erosion prevention due to its ground-hugging characteristics. Also, the plant blends perfectly with larger trees. Due to its easy transplanting and adaptability to a wide range of soils, this plant qualifies for mass planting. Also, it is ideal for foundational planting.

Geographic region or native habitat

The geographical region of this plant is the southeastern parts of the United States. It does well in rocky banks, cliffs, and woodlands in Alabama, West Virginia, and Georgia. However, the plant is currently distributed in different areas across the United States, including North and South Carolina. The native habitat is normally dry and exposed mountainous areas.

Environmental tolerances and intolerances

This shrub can tolerate dry soils with varying pH levels. Also, it can withstand environmental pollution, especially from urban settings. It can also survive sunny and windy conditions (Cullina, 110). It does well in sunny or partial shades. The best soil pH range is between 4 and 8, but the plant can survive in pH as low as 2 and as high as 10.

However, the plant is intolerant to any form of stagnant water. Also, this plant cannot tolerate very cold environments especially prolonged periods of ice as such conditions have similar effects as stagnant water. Extremely low pH or high pH is also adverse for this plant.

Notable insects and diseases

Conventionally, this plant is insects, pests, and disease resistant. However, fungal spots and powdery mildew are the only conditions known to affect the plant albeit at low rates.

Key identification characteristics

The most outstanding feature of this plant is its sulfur-yellow flowers during the summer. As aforementioned, the flowers change to reddish purple during the fall.

Works Cited

Cullina, William. Native Trees, Shrubs, and Vines: A Guide to Using, Growing, and Propagating North American Woody Plants, New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2002. Print.

Simeone, Vincent. Grow More with Less: Sustainable Garden Methods: Less Water – Less Work – Less Money, Minneapolis: Cool Springs Press, 2013. Print.

Swanson, Robert. A Field Guide to the Trees and Shrubs of the Southern Appalachians, Baltimore: The John Hopkins University Press, 1994. Print.