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Southern Bush Honeysuckle
The bush honeysuckles, in the genus Diervilla, are small native American shrubs that are not the same as the weedy honeysuckles in the genus Lonicera, but they are related to weigelas. They can be recognized the opposite, toothed leaves along slender twigs and clusters of tubular yellow flowers with long stamens and pistils protruding from the flowers. The fruit is a dry capsule with long filaments. Diervilla sessilifolia, native to the Southeast, named for the very short petioles on the leaves, is also distinguished by four thin ridges running along the branches. Fall color is reddish-purple. Bush honeysuckles, native to dry woods and clearings, are adaptable to many soils, and will grow in sun or partial shade. They bloom starting late May, and continue sporadically until September. New growth is tinged red.