Light Up Your Landscape With A Shrub Hummingbirds Will Flock To (And Deer Won't Touch)

Are you looking for a hardy shrub to add to your garden that's attractive, will lure in the hummingbirds, but visiting deer won't touch? You might think that's a bit of a challenge, but there's a U.S. native you may not have come across that will fit all these criteria perfectly. This deciduous shrub is known as bush honeysuckle (Diervilla spp.). But don't confuse this plant with an exotic species with the same common name (Lonicera maackii), which is considered invasive. Diervilla is definitely not invasive, though it can spread through underground stems. The small trumpet-shaped flowers look a lot like other honeysuckle blooms, and are cheerful yellow flowers you should grow to attract hummingbirds and pollinators.

There are two distinct species of Diervilla — southern bush honeysuckle (Diervilla sessilifolia) and northern bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera). Aside from that, there are also a small number of beautiful cultivars you might find at your local garden center. The southern species is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4 through 7, while the northern one is hardy down to zone 3. These shrubs grow to a height and spread of 5 feet and are deciduous. Foliage colors can vary depending on the particular cultivar you decide to grow. No matter which one you choose, this shrub will light up your landscape with flowers all summer long and colored leaves in the fall. You could easily pair it with other deer-resistant shrubs to landscape your yard and protect your garden.

Diervilla requires very little maintenance once you have it planted in your yard. It will grow in full sun and is not fussy about the type of soil, as long as it drains well. It's also one of several gorgeous flowering shrubs that thrive in the shade. The only thing you might want to do is give it a light prune in late winter or early spring to keep its size manageable. This should initiate fresh, new growth that will produce those pretty blooms.

If you're after a cultivar with lovely variegated foliage, 'Cool Splash' is the one to try. Released by First Editions, this outstanding shrub has dark green leaves with vibrant white margins. Another superb hybrid is Proven Winner's 'Kodiak Orange'. You'll be delighted with the appealing orange new growth and the glowing deep orange leaves in the fall that will just light up your garden with a magic pop of color. This particular variety can even grow in dry shade, although you'll get more exceptional foliage colors when it receives a little sun during the day. As a bonus, these shrubs will also attract bees and butterflies to your yard when in bloom. Finally, if you're looking for a plant with deep green foliage, you might want to try 'Butterfly', which sports the same pretty yellow blooms in summer and stunning color-splashed leaves in the fall.