Black Kodiak Honeysuckle (Diervilla rivularis 'SMNDRSF' KODIAK BLACK)
dy-er-VIL-ah rivularis 'SMNDRSF' KODIAK BLACK

Deciduous Perennial Mounded, Spreading in the Caprifoliaceae Family
Experience the striking beauty of Black Kodiak Honeysuckle, featuring intense burgundy-black foliage that dazzles from spring to fall. In early summer, vibrant yellow flower panicles create a stunning contrast.

Diervilla rivularis 'SMNDRSF' KODIAK BLACK is a selection of the native southeastern bush honeysuckle, bred by Timothy D. Wood for Spring Meadow Nursery from a self-pollinated seedling of 'Troja Black,' selected in 2011 in Grand Haven, Michigan.

It forms a mounded, spreading, suckering shrub to about 3-4 feet tall and wide. Its deep burgundy-black foliage, most intense in spring and fall, holds its color through the growing season in enough sun. Clusters of small, unscented, yellow flowers appear on new wood from late spring into summer, drawing bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

Pros

  • Striking deep burgundy-black foliage, intensifying in spring and fall
  • Blooms on new wood with yellow flowers that attract pollinators
  • Spreading, suckering habit good for erosion control; drought-tolerant once established

Cons

  • Spreads by suckers and can colonize an area over time
  • Foliage color can fade toward green in deep shade
  • Patent-protected -- propagation restricted while active
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 3 - 4 feet tall. 3 - 4 feet wide.
Sun Exposure Full Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 4a - 7b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Attracts Bees, Attracts Beneficial Insects, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Hummingbirds, Attracts Pollinators, Container, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control, Fall Color, For a Shady Spot, Formal Garden, Foundation, Full Shade, Full Sun, Good for Accents, Good for Beginners, Good for Borders, Good for Butterfly Garden, Good for Hedges, Good for Mass Planting, Groundcover, Grown For Attractive Foliage, Low Maintenance, Medium, Most Popular, Nativar, Normal Soil, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Shade Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Shrub, Specimen, Thrillers, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Woodland Garden
Bloom Period May to August
Flower Color Yellow
Foliage Color Burgundy-black
 

Most Popular Plants

Commonly Planted with...

Wild bergamot, coneflower, black-eyed Susan, butterfly weed, and bee balm.

Photos of This with...

Dolce Silver Gumdrop Coral Bells, Sweet Caroline Jet Black Sweet Potato, Graceful Grasses Vertigo, Supertunia Royal Velvet Petunia, ColorBlaze Rediculous Coleus,
 
Want More photos of this plant? Try Google Image Search!
 


Pricing and Availability History

Click a label to toggle visibility for that size

Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05
2023 : 05/04 - 09/30

© North Shore Plant Club 2026. Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions.

Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


Estimated Recipe Cost

The cost of this recipe's ingredients will vary depending on the season and the sizes and varieties you select.


Benefits of Membership

Want a better way to get great plants and make your yard look awesome? Create your account below and get:

  • The best plants… from the same sources the pros use, but at near wholesale prices
  • More plants in more sizes than anywhere else… whether you’re looking for classics or rarities; annuals, perennials or shrubs; one plant or a whole yardful!
  • "No Contact" delivery or easy pick-up at a site near you without fighting the retail crowds. You choose!

Membership is free, but — since we rely on delivery and local pick-up — you have to live near one of our hubs (or be willing to drive to a site to pick them up). If you live farther away, and would like to help us bring the club to your neighbors, please email helpusgrow@northshoreplantclub.com.

Already a member?
Login
No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!