Choose Kodiak® Black Bush Honeysuckle for dark foliage in a tough shrub spot; the tradeoff is that it is more of a foliage plant than a big-flower showpiece.
Buy This If
You want dark foliage.
Your site runs dry.
You prefer informal shrubs.
Skip This If
You need winter screening.
You want large flowers.
You need a formal hedge.
PGNE Report Card
Category
Grade
Why
Landscape Impact
A-
The dark leaves give strong contrast, though the flowers are secondary.
Growth Rate
A-
It fills in quickly enough for new plantings without becoming a large shrub.
Maintenance
A
It usually needs only light shaping and cleanup once established.
Deer Resistance
C
Do not count on this shrub as a reliable choice where deer feed heavily.
Small Space Fit
B+
It works well in smaller beds if you leave room for its natural rounded shape.
Screening Value
C
It can soften edges but will not provide dense privacy, especially in winter.
Compare It To
Kodiak Jet Black® Diervilla
Choose Kodiak Jet Black® Diervilla if you want the darkest leaf effect; choose Kodiak® Black Bush Honeysuckle if you want a similar tough shrub with a softer overall look.
Winecraft Black® Smokebush
Choose Winecraft Black® Smokebush for a bolder specimen; choose Kodiak® Black Bush Honeysuckle for a lower, easier mass planting.
Monlo Ninebark
Choose Monlo Ninebark for a larger dark-leaf shrub; choose Kodiak® Black Bush Honeysuckle where space is tighter or the site is tougher.
Our Experience
At PGNE, we'd typically recommend this for dry, sunny-to-light-shade edges where foliage color matters more than flowers. Prune lightly after it settles in, not into a stiff box.
Plant Facts
Mature Height
3–4 ft
Mature Width
3–4 ft
Hardiness Zones
4a-7a
Spacing
3–4 ft spacing
Sun
Full Sun to Part Shade
Moisture
Dry to average
Growth Habit
bushy
Customers Usually Ask
Is this the invasive honeysuckle?
No, this is Diervilla, commonly called bush honeysuckle, not the invasive shrub honeysuckles.
How do I get the darkest color?
Give it brighter light and avoid overfeeding, which can push softer green growth.
Does it flower much?
It has yellow summer flowers, but buy it mainly for foliage and toughness.
Privacy & Screening: Many varieties grow dense and full, making them ideal for natural hedges and property boundaries.
Seasonal Color & Texture: From evergreen foliage to flowering varieties, shrubs provide visual interest in every season.
Shrubs Grown to Perform in New England
At Pro Growers of New England, our shrubs are grown and maintained locally to perform in true New England conditions. From flowering varieties to evergreen foundation plants, each shrub is properly spaced, pruned, and cared for to develop strong root systems and balanced structure before it ever reaches your landscape.
Unlike large online sellers that ship plants long distances, we invite you to visit our nursery, walk the rows, and inspect the exact shrubs available. You can see the size, health, and fullness in person — ensuring there are no surprises upon delivery.
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Randy Cheney
I was very happy with my experience! Pro Growers are not only a quality outfit, but they have the best prices hands down!
Pro Growers of New England, Inc
Randy Cheney
Top notch service and product quality. I didn’t know what to expect seeing the ads on Facebook, so I went to the greenhouse. They had a wonderful variety of products and a very helpful staff. The delivery and installers were fast, neat and friendly. Pro Growers will be me go to for now on!
Emerald Green Arborvitae
Cynthia Boardman
Starting with the owner, who gave us expert advice, along with a great group of installers, this company was a pleasure to work with.
Fair prices and great product. You can’t go wrong
Installation Service ($25)
Kayla Sem
Easy ordering, delivery and installation! Highly recommend ordering from Pro Growers of New England.
The two gentlemen that did the arborvitae installation were absolutely excellent. They listened to exactly what we wanted, mapped out the spots, and worked quickly and thoroughly to get it done. Outstanding work!
Top notch service and product quality. I didn’t know what to expect seeing the ads on Facebook, so I went to the greenhouse. They had a wonderful variety of products and a very helpful staff. The delivery and installers were fast, neat and friendly. Pro Growers will be me go to for now on!
It helps us recommend plants that are best for your local climate, based on your growing zone. Also, because we ship plants based on when they are best for your local climate, it allows us to give you a more accurate estimate of when your order will ship.