Butterfly Southern Bush Honeysuckle (Diervilla sessilifolia 'Butterfly')
dy-er-VIL-ah sess-sil-ih-FOE-lee-ah 'Butterfly'

Deciduous Perennial in the Caprifoliaceae Family
 

 
Available May 9
Size Notes Price Availability
#3 gallon Field

18-21" High 18-21" Wide

$36.38
 
Great ornamental shrub for difficult sites with poor, well- drained soil. Dark geen foliage, reddish stems, clusters of yellow flowers.

Diervilla sessilifolia 'Butterfly' is a captivating cultivar of the native bush honeysuckle, known for its exceptional ornamental features and wildlife-attracting benefits.

This compact, deciduous shrub typically matures to 3-4 feet tall and wide, forming a dense, rounded habit with multiple stems. The standout feature of Butterfly is its foliage, which emerges in spring with a stunning purple-red hue, transitioning to deep green as the season progresses. In autumn, the leaves transform into a vibrant display of fiery oranges, reds, and burgundies, providing season-long visual interest.

Complementing the captivating foliage are clusters of tubular, butter-yellow flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. These nectar-rich blooms attract a variety of pollinators, including hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. As the flowers fade, they give way to small, brown seed capsules that open to reveal brown seeds, providing food for birds and other wildlife.

Adaptable to a range of well-drained soil types and growing conditions, Diervilla sessilifolia 'Butterfly' thrives in full sun to partial shade. It is drought-tolerant once established, making it a resilient choice for foundation plantings, mixed borders, mass plantings, and pollinator gardens. Regular, light pruning in late winter helps maintain the shrub's compact, rounded form.

With its multi-season color, pollinator-attracting flowers, and wildlife-supporting attributes, Diervilla sessilifolia 'Butterfly' is a standout addition to eco-friendly, sustainable landscapes. Its adaptable nature and compact habit also make it a versatile option for both large and small garden spaces.

 

Plant Data

Mature Size 3 - 4 feet tall. 3 - 4 feet wide.
Sun Exposure Partial Shade - Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance Medium
Zones 4a - 8b (Usually hardy to -30° F)
Tags Attracts Butterflies, Deciduous, Fall Color, Full Sun, Medium, Medium, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Showy Flowers, Shrub
Bloom Period April to June
Flower Color Yellow
Butterfly Southern Bush Honeysuckle
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Pricing and Availability History

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Limited Availability

We try very hard to source exactly what you’d like, but sometimes growers run out of plants! While this variety is a great deal at the price shown, we know that it has limited availability. If you want the plant even if it might be more expensive, or in a different size or quantity -- after you place your order, just send us a quick note at help@northshoreplantclub.com. Then, we’ll try to get you some version of this from one of our growers. And if we can’t get it from anywhere, of course, we’ll send a refund!


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.


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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!