10/08/2026
Hey everyone! We have some of these shrubs remaining. Just $10. If interested, message us for pick up or to schedule delivery.
-Chris & Jenn
**Meet Diervilla 'Mountaineer® Merlot': The Native Shrub That Works Hard All Season** 🌿
Looking for a tough, pollinator-friendly shrub? Let us introduce you to *Diervilla x splendens* 'Mountaineer® Merlot', a bush honeysuckle built from our native Diervilla genetics.
**Why we love it**
- **Four seasons of color:** New growth emerges in merlot-red tones with dark stems, giving you foliage interest long after the flowers fade.
- **Pollinator magnet:** Small yellow blooms from early to midsummer stand out beautifully against the dark leaves and draw butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.
- **Fast-growing and low-fuss:** It forms an upright, rounded mound, which makes it perfect as a mid-border filler or a mid-height hedge.
**Quick growing guide**
- **Height:** 3 to 3½ feet tall
- **Spacing:** 3½ to 4 feet apart
- **Zones:** 4 to 8 (right at home in our Zone 6 Indiana gardens)
- **Light:** Full sun to part shade
- **Water:** Low to moderate once established
**Pro tip:** Cut it back in early spring for a repeat show every summer. Pruning stimulates fresh new growth, which keeps the plant full and the foliage color rich.
**Design ideas**
- Pair it with purple coneflower, little bluestem, or Joe Pye w**d for a layered native planting.
- Use it along a foundation or fence line where you want color without the maintenance.
- Plant a small grouping to create a wildlife-friendly hedge that feeds pollinators and gives birds cover.
Choosing natives and native-derived plants is one of the simplest ways to support the pollinators in your own backyard. 🐝🦋
Have questions about where this shrub would fit in your garden? Drop them in the comments!
