How to Grow Diervilla Kodiak Black - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team   /   2025

Diervilla kodiak black is a beautiful and unique plant that is perfect for any garden. It is a fast-growing plant that can reach up to 6 feet in height and has dark green leaves with black spots. The flowers are small and yellow, and they bloom in the summer. This plant is native to Alaska and is a great addition to any garden.

How to Grow Diervilla Kodiak Black - Plant Care & Tips

Alternative name

  • Diervilla kodiak
  • Diervilla rupicola
  • Diervilla lonicera
  • Diervilla glabra
  • Diervilla sessilifolia

Basic info

  • Diervilla kodiak black is a deciduous shrub that is native to North America.
  • It is a member of the Caprifoliaceae family.
  • The leaves are opposite, ovate-shaped, and dark green in color.
  • The flowers are small, yellow, and borne in clusters.
  • The fruit is a small, dark-colored drupe.
  • It prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.
  • It is tolerant of drought and salt.
  • It can be affected by powdery mildew and leaf spot.
  • It is a low-maintenance plant.
  • It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Related plant:
Kodiak Orange Diervilla

Growing Steps

  1. For diervilla kodiak black, first step is to choose the right spot. You will need to provide full sun or partial shade and well-drained soil.
  2. The second step is to improve the soil by adding organic matter. This will help the plant to establish more quickly.
  3. The third step is to sow the seeds in late winter or early spring.
  4. The fourth step is to thin the seedlings to about 10 inches apart.
  5. The fifth step is to transplant theseedlings to their permanent location in the spring.
  6. The sixth step is to water the plants regularly during the growing season.
  7. The seventh step is to fertilize the plants with a slow-release fertilizer in the spring.
  8. The eighth step is to prune the plants back hard in the late winter or early spring.
  9. The ninth step is to mulch the plants with a layer of organic matter in the spring.
  10. The tenth and final step is to enjoy the beautiful flowers of diervilla kodiak black in the summer!

Related plant:
Nightglow Diervilla

The Soil

About soil , Kodiak Black prefers well-drained soil but will tolerate average to poor drainage. It does best in full sun but can take some partial shade, especially in hot summer areas. It's tolerant of a wide range of soils, including clay. Once established, it's drought tolerant.

Light requirement

Like the other Diervilla plants, the Kodiak Black Diervilla is a sun-loving plant and will do best in full sun to partial sun conditions. It is a tough plant that can tolerate some shade, but it will bloom less in these areas. This plant is also tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions, but it will perform best in well-drained, sandy soils.

Ideal Temperature

The temperature condition of diervilla kodiak black is very important. If the temperature is too high, the plant will not be able to flower properly. If the temperature is too low, the plant will not be able to produce fruit. The ideal temperature for diervilla kodiak black is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Humidity Aspect

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50%. This plant is known to be quite drought tolerant, however, it will produce more flowers if given enough moisture. Frequency of watering will depend on the pot size, type of potting mix, and temperature. In general, water when the top inch of the potting mix is dry.

Fertilizer Requirement

Mentioning fertilizer, this kind of plant doesn't need too much attention when it comes to feeding. A light application of an all-purpose fertilizer in the spring is all that is needed to keep your Diervilla Kodiak Black happy and healthy. When it comes to watering, Diervilla Kodiak Black is drought tolerant once established, so you won't need to worry about watering it too often. Just make sure the root system has enough moisture to keep it healthy.

About light

Pruning is an important part of caring for your Diervilla Kodiak Black. Pruning in the early spring will help to shape the plant and encourage new growth. You can also prune away any dead or damaged branches.

About Propagating

Propagation of diervilla kodiak black is typically done through softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings taken from new growth in late spring or early summer. The cuttings should be 4-6 inches long and taken from healthy, disease-free plant material. Cuttings should be made just below a leaf node and the bottom leaves removed. The cuttings can be rooted in moistened perlite, vermiculite, or sand. Rooting hormone is not necessary but can help to promote rooting. The cuttings should be kept at high humidity and moderate temperatures until roots have developed and new growth appears. Once rooted, the plants can be transplanted into individual pots and grown on until large enough to be planted in the landscape.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate during the spring and summer months when the weather is warm and there is plenty of rainfall. The average kodiak black growth rate is approximately six inches per year. However, in optimal conditions, some kodiak black plants have been known to grow up to twelve inches in a single year.

Basic Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are black aphids and scale. Aphids are small, black insects that attack the leaves of the plant, and scale are small, hard-shelled creatures that attach themselves to the stems and leaves. Other problems include powdery mildew and leaf spot.

Growing Tips

  • Remember to plant your diervilla kodiak black in a location that gets full sun.
  • Make sure the soil you plant in is well-draining. Diervilla kodiak black does not tolerate soggy conditions.
  • When planting, space your diervilla kodiak black plants about 3 to 4 feet apart.
  • Once established, diervilla kodiak black is relatively drought tolerant. However, during extended periods of drought, you may need to supplement with supplemental watering.
  • Diervilla kodiak black is a slow grower. Be patient and do not expect it to grow too quickly.
  • In early spring, prune back any dead or diseased stems. This will help encourage new growth.
  • Diervilla kodiak black is a low-maintenance plant. It does not require a lot of care or fertilizer.
  • If you live

Substitution

  • Diervilla kodiak RED is the red version of the Kodiak Flowering Shrub.
  • Diervilla sessilifolia is yet another flowering shrub belonging to the Diervilla genus.
  • Diervilla lonicera is a deciduous shrub that features dense, dark green leaves.
  • Diervilla rivularis is a flowering shrub that is also known as the Riverbank Diervilla.
  • Diervilla lupine is a flower shrub that is known for its beautiful blue flowers.
  • Diervilla platanifolia is a flowering shrub that belongs to the Diervilla genus.
  • Diervilla splendens is a flowering shrub that is also known as the Showy Diervilla.
  • Diervilla Cool Splash is a variety of Diervilla that is known for its beautiful white flowers.

Source:
Online Virtual Flora of Wisconsin - Diervilla lonicera
Manual chevrolet Kodiak - Academia.edu
Kodiak College | Kodiak College

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