Mountain bush honeysuckle
Diervilla rivularis
Last reviewed: September 2026
Mountain bush honeysuckle (Diervilla rivularis) is a perennial shrub native to AL, GA, NC, TN. It blooms in June, July, and August. The flowers draw bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
Toxicity unknown
Mountain bush honeysuckle (Diervilla rivularis) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
24"–48" H × 36"–60" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AL, GA, NC, TN
Pollinators
bees, hummingbirds, butterflies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 458 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaA low, suckering shrub with arching stems, bronze-tinged new foliage, and clusters of tubular yellow flowers through summer. It spreads gradually to form colonies, useful on slopes.
Growing Mountain bush honeysuckle
Grow Mountain bush honeysuckle in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 24 to 48 inches tall and spread 36 to 60 inches wide.
Wildlife value
An extended summer bloom period provides steady nectar for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Common questions
- How much sun does Mountain bush honeysuckle need?
- Mountain bush honeysuckle grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Mountain bush honeysuckle bloom?
- Mountain bush honeysuckle blooms in June, July, and August.
- Where is Mountain bush honeysuckle native?
- Mountain bush honeysuckle (Diervilla rivularis) is native to AL, GA, NC, TN, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- What pollinators does Mountain bush honeysuckle attract?
- Mountain bush honeysuckle draws bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Mountain bush honeysuckle? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.