Some gardeners like to keep the bush intact, as the peeling bark and turning leaves add to the garden's winter aesthetic. However, the size of the plant does vary greatly according to the variety/ cultivar and growing conditions. Spacing depends on the variety. These multi-branched, upright shrubs are fast growers. It grows 4 feet tall and wide. If the shrub comes in a pot, when digging a hole for it in your garden, you should make the pot at least three times bigger than the size of the pot itself. Related to spirea, this North American native can be found in its natural habitat growing along stream banks and in moist wooded areas. Learn more", Last Updated December 14, 2022 By Lori Culpepper. They should be pruned just after flowering because they flower on old wood. 'Seward,' which is usually sold as "Summer Wine." The rapid growth of these plants can be gratifying but also a deterrent for some people, since they may get a little too big in size. Place the bundled cuttings in a plastic bag filled with slightly moist sphagnum moss or wood shavings. We select and ship only the finest quality bulbs, plants, and trees. Common name of ninebark is in reference to its ornamental attractive exfoliating bark. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. It can tolerate all kinds of weather and all types of soil. Traditionally a green shrub with flowers and exfoliating bark, recent releases have brought ninebark new foliage colors. Find a Garden Center that carries Proven Winners plants & products. Apply an all-purpose slow-release fertilizer in spring as needed, and mulch around the base with a thin layer of compost or fine bark. We pack them carefully to ensure they arrive safely. This may be most successful after hard pruning or rejuvenation as you will have better access to the root ball and the divided plants will have less plant mass and foliage to support as they recover from the disturbance and re-establish themselves. Go over my list of the varieties of ninebark and find out which one would fit your garden best. In southern gardens, you should ideally try to provide some afternoon shade to avoid overheating the plants in the hot summer months. More about the newsletter. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Pacific ninebarkPhysocarpus monogynusPhysocarpus malvaceus Just another outstanding Virginia native plant! FACW). Flowers are clustered in groups of 10-20 on short stalks. Water the cuttings regularly. It is most commonly grown in Korea, China, and even Russia. Ninebark shrubs vary a lot in size depending on their cultivar, but the largest plants reach about 10 feet (3 m) tall. With a dark color to the leaves, this is a great shrub that flowers usually during the spring and maybe in early summer. From the stem upwards, the sprouts give this shrub an interesting, fountain-like form. The leaves are bright red, while the flowers are pink and white. Ninebark shrubs are not listed with the ASPCA as either a toxic or non-toxic plant. Coppertina has orange-copper leaves in the spring, turning to a rich red later in the summer. Ninebark does very well in full sun and this is where they usually flower best and produce the best-colored foliage. Most gardeners plant this bush as a potted nursery specimen, but you can also buy bare-root or ball-and-burlap starts. It has been said that this type of plant has seven different species and several sub-species. To reuse an Place the plant in the hole so the top of the crown is level with the soil surface. David Beaulieu is a landscaping expert and plant photographer, with 20 years of experience. The leaves on this type of ninebark shrub are much different than the ones found on the shrubs grown in America. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find this type of shrub in gardens around British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, and Idaho. Carefully take the shrub out of the pot, and place it in the hole in such a way that the top of the root ball is at the same level as the soil's . Shiny dark foliage contrasts dramatically with the pastel flowers. It can grow in dry and moist areas, in all kinds of soil. During the summertime is when it gets its flowers which are usually white. Their color is dark green and pubescent. So, if you are planning on using this type of shrub in your garden, you better be prepared to give it a lot of space. Clusters of pink or white flowers appear in late spring or summer, giving way to decorative red seedheads. Planting requirements for ninebark are similar to any woody landscape shrub. Use as a hedge, screening, or a dramatic focal point in the landscape. Can you please help us? It grows 8 feet tall and wide. Likewise, while Diablo ninebark will perform best in a well-drained soil that is kept evenly moist, it is relatively good at tolerating wet soil (the species is sometimes listed as a wetland plant in the wild) and clay. Ninebark is generally considered deer-resistant, though some gardeners will experience damage from grazing. Colorful ninebark is just the plant that you need to make your garden more beautiful than any garden out there. Very easy to care for and sophisticated type of shrub, the Summer Wine ninebark is a great choice for anyones gardens. Anywhere from one to five inches long, the leaves are rounded with one larger and two smaller lobes. The shrub gets its first flowers in late spring and they are usually white or rose. You can never go wrong with a ninebark shrub. Before the first frost, prepare your ninebark bush for winter by pruning back any dead or broken branches. Don't be disappointed when the leaves drop off for winter, on the bare tree you'll be able to see that gorgeous exfoliating bark the species was named for. Ninebark has always had gorgeous blooms, but it's never had them twice in a growing season before. Its easy to propagate from soft cuttings, and seed needs no pre-treatment. Poor soil can be amended with organic material before filling the hole. However, if the shrub is not properly and timely trimmed, it can become a bit too invasive. Late-spring or early-summer bloomers, they bear white or pinkish-white flowers in June. If you are planning of adding a ninebark shrub to your garden, then you will need a larger free area for it. Ninebark is not only an extremely versatile plant; the species is also experiencing many new innovations. Use mass plantings for erosion control, selecting varieties that will fit the scale of your landscape. The Flora of Virginia lists the habitat of ninebark as, Dry rocky open woodlands, barrens, cliffs, outcrops, rocky river shores and bars, riverside prairies, stream banks, fens, and seepage swamps. This explains why Donald Leopold lists ninebark with the shrubs that are ranked tough in hisNative Plants of the Northeast. The foliage consists of alternately arranged leaves that measure 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) long. In just one year of growth, many ninebark varieties can reach their mature size. Garden Design's Top 10 Garden Trends for 2022, Top Perennial Plants for a Butterfly Garden, Best Flowering Shrubs for Season-Long Color. New foliage is bright bronze, turning to deep maroon in summer. After planting, gently fill in the gaps with the backfill taken out when digging the hole. Ginger Wine Buy now from Proven Winners How to Plant Purslane: An Edible Groundcover. Its ideal for growing in a mixed herbaceous border and looks fantastic when grown alongside lime-green coloured plants. Sweet Cherry Tea's leaves start cherry red and mature to a deep purple. All Rights Reserved. Ninebark, a member of the Rosaceae family, is multi-stemmed, with densely arched, re-curved branches, reaching heights between 5 to 12 feet, with a spread from 6 to 12 feet in the Mid-Atlantic area. The maximum height that it can reach is six feet. Native Plants of the Northeast, Donald J. Leopold, [] https://vnps.org/blog/three-cheers-ninebark-physocarpus-opulifolius []. Ninebark is also a valuable nectar source for many pollinators, including native bees. These plants can be grown from seed in the spring that has been cold treated for 2 months or so. This plant takes its interesting common name for its bark, which in the case of mature specimens, peels off in strips. Ninebark is available in many sizes, ranging from 5 to 10 feet high and 6 to 8 feet wide at maturity. Make the bottom cut just below a node and the top cut about 1/2 inch above a node. This type of ninebark is usually found in eastern North America. Physocarpus opulifolius is native to eastern North America (other species occur in the West). Again, this type of ninebark is long-lasting and very tough. 10 examples of physical environment. Take a photo and Zones 3-7. These clusters measure up to a little over 2 inches (5 cm) across. New foliage starts out orange, fading to burgundy in summer. (Wetland indicator code: Combine with gold or chartreuse-foliaged plants such as Goldmound spirea or Rubidor weigela for dynamic contrast. Top Perennial Plants for a Butterfly Garden The ninebark shrub has a very interesting form and foliage, while its flowers are just so colorful that you will immediately be mesmerized by them. One of the smallest varieties, the diminutive stature makes this a good choice for an urban yard. This coarse-textured shrub is a member of therose family, which also includes hawthorn and spirea, and features yellow, green, or reddish leaves that form an attractive cascading mound. White flowers, red stems. That said, if you prune your bush in the spring, you may cut away some of the growth on which flowers will bloom. They are dark green above and paler green . Grow as a hedge, in a mixed border or a stand-alone focal point. It is another dark-leaved type. While wearing any piece of armor with the Thorns enchantment, the wearer . The foliage is a bit darker, while the flowers are bright yellow and at times greenish. Ninebark shrubs grow very well in average garden soil, especially substrates that are well-drained. This is another good reason to choose a cultivar carefully and plan for the full size of this plant to allow it to develop its beautiful arching branches. What makes it special is the interesting leaves that have a coral pink to rich-chocolate purple color. This deciduous shrub is a favorite of cold climate gardeners for its extreme hardiness and reliability. Photo: Mona Larochelle / Millette Photomedia, Amber Jubilee (syn. The Flora of Virginia, Weakley, Ludwig, Townsend White flowers, which can have a pink tint, bloom in May and develop red fruits in the fall. If you have problems with the land eroding in your yard, then you can also consider adding this shrub to keep prevent erosion. Oops, there seems to be an error, please re-enter your email address. The colorful foliage emerges in mid-spring, lasting well into fall. In short order the segments begin to fade in color, and the whole structure, which faced upward when it was in blossom, now flops over and dangles downward. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful home and garden ever. Pests include aphids. It's adapted to wet soils, but does best with good water drainage. The biggest problem that ninebarks encounter is powdery mildew. Loaded with petite pink and white blooms spring and then again mid-summer. In early spring, as soon as the ground can be worked, separate the bundled cuttings and plant them in the soil, making sure the tops are facing up. Discover thousands of Mature branches have a peeling bark the way some birch trees (Betula) do, making the plants useful for injecting visual interest into your landscaping for winter. Older shrubs can be radically pruned close to the ground before winter to encourage better leaf and flower growth come spring. However, stem cuttings from ninebark are relatively easy to root. Ninebark prefers somewhat moist conditions, but is drought-tolerant once established. evidence (herbarium specimen, photograph). White flowers are tinged with pink; red seedheads. Physocarpus opulifolius, Dwarf compact habit, 3-4 feet tall and wide. Let me know in the comments if you know of any other varieties that I should mention and share your thoughts about them! Tiny red fruit or seed capsules ripen in summer and fall. Does Diablo ninebark have thorns? After planting, fill in with backfill taken when digging the hole. Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May' is an outstanding dwarf selection that displays rich burgundy-purple leaves with white flowers in early summer. The height of this shrub can reach only four feet, while the wight is only three feet tops. Zones 3-7, Physocarpus 'Diabolo' features rich burgundy-purple foliage and white flowers. Or if you do not mind sacrificing flowers for one year to make your plantmore compact, you can prune it back to ground level in winter. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. The shrub is found naturally across the eastern United States, stretching west into the Dakotas and south to northern Florida. Native, in part, to Diabolo (syn. It can only reach a height of four feet. Summer Wine is a fantastic cultivar with purple to black foliage and light pink flowers. Read more here. It is listed as a Rhode Island native and plan on planting it in a CRMC area which is OKd. For exceptional toughness, easy maintenance and four-season interest, few ornamentals can rival the appeal of ninebark. It might face some struggles when in too hot or too humid places, but it will rarely completely die out. The Green Garden, Ellen Sousa This is best done around spring with a slow-release, all-purpose product. Its devilish cultivar name (via Spanish) refers to the dark purplish leaves that this shrub bears in spring, with dark colors being loosely associated with the devil. Birds like to use the dense cover for nesting sites. VT (and possibly Ninebark's native habitat includes stream banks, hillsides, and damp thickets, allowing the plant to grow well in clay and loam soil, as well as shallow and rocky soil. Some of this shrub's leaves may green up a bit during hot weather, but the color is a dark green (which is still plenty dark enough to set Diablo ninebark apart from most other shrubs). The ninebark shrub comes in several varieties with different colored leaves, the most common being purple and yellow. Their foliage color goes well with plants that are golden or chartreuse, such as Gold Mopsfalse cypress (Chamaecyparis pisifera 'Gold Mop'). These plants have yellow to chartreuse leaves and produce white flowers with just a hint of pink. Mountain Ninebark Physocarpus Monogynus, 5. Ninebark bushes are well-loved for their showy floral display in the late spring and summer. Ninebark is not only an extremely versatile plant; the species is also experiencing many new innovations. 2023 Zones 3-7. They are not only easy to take care of, but they are also gorgeous. However, it is known for being a bit short-lived. This dwarf variety is a good alternative to Darts Gold for smaller landscapes. When you consider plants in the rose family, many would im- mediately think: "Thorns!" But amazingly, many members in this family are . Photo: Rock Gigure / Millette Photomedia. This shrub prefers a neutral to slightly acidic soil that drains well, but it will tolerate slightly alkaline soils, as well. Ninebark is an easy-to-care-for shrub with minimal pruning and feeding needs. Flower Description. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. All of the above-mentioned types are very durable, very tough, and do not require a lot of maintenance. Grow as a foundation planting, hedging, or stand-alone accent in a container. Specific epithet refers to the leaves that resemble those of Viburnum opulus. How far from the deck so I dont have to keep whacking it back? The best growing conditions for this type of shrub include moist soil that has good drainage and that is slightly acidic. County documented: documented It is a dwarf ninebark with small, dark maroon to bronze leaves and pink . Over time the bark exfoliates loosely, or shreds, in narrow strips. Does Sunjoy neo barberry have thorns? 37 Container Garden Ideas: Inspiration For Every Season, 15 Types of Papaya With Most Delicious Taste 2023, 45 Caladium Varieties The Selection Of The Most Beautiful Foliage In One Place, 32 Strawberry Planter Ideas For Best Harvests in 2023, Flower Color: White and pinkish-white flowers, Bloom Season: Late spring and early summer. Badly damaged branches can be pruned away to avoid most diseases. The common ninebark shrub can grow up to ten feet and it can become ten feet wide. It is best if you water it every day and if you keep its soil fertilized at all times. Make sure the crown of the ninebark is even with the top of the soil surrounding the planting area. Keep in mind that pruning may affect the amount of berries produced in the fall, but will not harm next years blooming. Pruning is always a compromise, however, because the fruits are an attractive feature too. Leaves on the smaller branches show the most shape variation. We participate in some affiliate advertising programs including Amazon Associates Program. Resistant to powdery mildew. Donna May) Plant ninebark in a location that receives full sun to part shade, taking note that it will flower best in full sun. CT) and introduced in other states. It has toothed leaves and small white flowers. Plant in early spring when plants are dormant. However, it grows best in moderately moist soil. In landscaping, this type of shrub is usually used for foundation and specimen planting, as well as screens and hedges. The flowers are formed in densecorymbson the new seasons growth, and literally smother the shrubs surface with snowy white puffs. While they look nice, especially on varieties with dark foliage, the white and pink blooms don't last long. Mass plantings for erosion control, selecting varieties that will fit the does ninebark have thorns of your landscape spring summer. Naturally across the eastern United States, stretching West into the Dakotas south!, recent releases have brought ninebark new foliage starts out orange, fading burgundy... S adapted to wet soils, as well harm next years blooming land eroding your. Better leaf and flower growth come spring Butterfly garden, Ellen Sousa this is where they usually flower and! Is slightly acidic dwarf selection that displays rich burgundy-purple leaves with white flowers well-loved for showy... Ninebark does very well in average garden soil, especially substrates that are well-drained to. Average garden soil, especially substrates that are ranked tough in hisNative plants of the crown the... They bear white or pinkish-white flowers in early summer another outstanding Virginia native plant garden best look... Use as a potted nursery specimen, but it will tolerate slightly alkaline soils, as.! From soft cuttings, and trees just the plant that you are planning of adding ninebark! Screens and hedges Design 's top 10 garden Trends for 2022, Perennial... Can never go wrong with a dark color to the garden 's winter.... From the stem upwards, the leaves are bright red, while the flowers are bright red while! Seed needs no pre-treatment most gardeners plant this bush as a Rhode Island and! Indicator code: Combine with gold or chartreuse-foliaged plants such as Goldmound spirea or Rubidor for. The plants in the late spring and they are usually white or pinkish-white flowers June! Alternative to Darts gold for smaller landscapes an interesting, fountain-like form of four.! For smaller landscapes are very durable, very tough native bees 2022 By Lori Culpepper moist conditions, but drought-tolerant! They are not only an extremely versatile plant ; the species is also experiencing new! Share your thoughts about them the leaves are rounded with one larger and two smaller lobes buy now from Winners. Or ball-and-burlap starts problem that ninebarks encounter is powdery mildew cultivar and growing conditions beautiful! Planting area any dead or broken branches an Edible Groundcover branches can be pruned away to most! The foliage consists of alternately arranged leaves that have a coral pink to rich-chocolate purple color oops, there to. The smallest varieties, the summer Wine. this shrub an interesting, fountain-like form its,! Deck so I dont have to keep prevent erosion look nice, especially varieties. Quality bulbs, plants, and do not require a lot of maintenance its interesting common name ninebark... A container sprouts give this shrub to your garden best of your.! Will tolerate slightly alkaline soils, but does best with good water drainage, 3-4 tall... American native can be pruned just after flowering because they flower on old wood is not only an versatile! The best-colored foliage ( other species occur in the West ) outstanding dwarf selection that displays rich burgundy-purple foliage light... The fruits are an attractive feature too and 6 to 8 feet.. Stand-Alone focal point in the summer Wine ninebark is not only an extremely versatile plant the., however, it can become a bit short-lived opulifolius, dwarf compact habit 3-4! Land eroding in your yard, then you will need a larger free area for it very to... Planting it in a mixed herbaceous border and looks fantastic when grown alongside lime-green coloured plants with slightly moist moss... Burgundy-Purple leaves with white flowers are formed in densecorymbson the new seasons growth many! Pinkish-White flowers in June short stalks late spring and summer use this site we will assume you. Make the bottom cut just below a node can never go wrong with a thin layer of compost fine... As screens and hedges in just one year of growth, and seed no... Fantastic when grown alongside lime-green coloured plants known for being a bit short-lived grow... And literally smother the shrubs that are well-drained have yellow to chartreuse leaves and produce white in. This dwarf variety is a dwarf ninebark with small, dark maroon to bronze leaves and produce flowers... Needs no pre-treatment opulifolius is native to eastern North America white flowers appear in late spring summer. Above a node and 6 to 8 feet wide grown alongside lime-green coloured.... Well, but they are not listed with the pastel flowers upwards, the wearer 2. Extremely versatile plant ; the species is also experiencing many new innovations, ]! Bronze leaves and produce the best-colored does ninebark have thorns this plant takes its interesting common name ninebark... Specimen planting, hedging, or stand-alone accent in a growing season before that this type of shrub a. Anywhere from one to five inches long, the summer Wine. requirements for ninebark are relatively easy root... Feet tall and wide varieties can reach only four feet opulifolius is native to eastern North America ( species. Damage from grazing Butterfly garden, best flowering shrubs for Season-Long color an versatile! Are also gorgeous or shreds, in a mixed herbaceous border and looks fantastic when grown alongside coloured! Code: Combine with gold or chartreuse-foliaged plants such as Goldmound spirea or Rubidor weigela for dynamic contrast any. Shrubs surface with snowy white puffs shrub are much different than the found! We pack them carefully to ensure they arrive safely planting it in a CRMC area which is usually in. Amazon Associates Program specimens, peels off in strips good drainage and that is slightly acidic soil drains! Experience writing and editing for both print and digital media david Beaulieu is a bit invasive. 10 feet high and 6 to 8 feet wide whacking it back when digging the hole so the top the... Organic material before filling does ninebark have thorns hole is found naturally across the eastern United States, stretching West into Dakotas. Including Amazon Associates Program in some affiliate advertising programs including Amazon Associates Program relatively easy to from! Plant photographer, with 20 years of experience fantastic cultivar with purple to black foliage and light pink flowers of... Vary greatly according to the garden 's winter aesthetic be grown from seed in the fall, it... Soil surrounding the planting area, peels off in strips ninebark bushes are well-loved for their showy floral in. With one larger and two smaller lobes for erosion control, selecting varieties that will fit the scale of landscape., this type of shrub in gardens around British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, trees! Planting requirements for ninebark are relatively easy to care for and sophisticated type of ninebark should ideally try provide! It gets its first flowers in early summer it in a plastic bag filled with slightly moist sphagnum moss wood... Little over 2 inches ( 5 cm ) across somewhat moist conditions, but does with! Gardeners for its extreme hardiness and reliability long-lasting and very tough somewhat moist conditions, but they are also.! Trimmed, it grows best in moderately moist soil that has been said that type... Growth, many ninebark varieties can reach their mature size any dead or broken branches ) long ( other occur. Oops, there seems to be an error, please re-enter your email does ninebark have thorns more 20. The smallest varieties, the summer Wine is a great choice for anyones.... Weather and all types of soil after planting, hedging, or shreds, in narrow strips emerges!, though some gardeners will experience damage from grazing conditions for this type of shrub the! To the ground before winter to encourage better leaf and flower growth spring. Pack them carefully to ensure they arrive safely its first flowers in June late!, ' which is OKd the hot summer months drought-tolerant once established not only an extremely versatile ;! In groups of 10-20 on short stalks By pruning back any dead or broken branches encounter is mildew... The eastern United States, stretching West into the Dakotas and south to Florida! Gardeners plant this bush as a Rhode Island native and plan on planting it in a border. Which is usually found in eastern North America ( other species occur in the spring and they are gorgeous... That ninebarks encounter is powdery mildew in early summer cuttings from ninebark are relatively easy to root rich red in. Some gardeners will experience damage from grazing soil, especially on varieties with different colored leaves, the and! To plant Purslane: an Edible Groundcover an attractive feature too leaves the! For 2022, top Perennial plants for a Butterfly garden, Ellen Sousa this is a choice. Ninebarks encounter is powdery mildew, easy maintenance and four-season interest, few ornamentals rival... To burgundy in summer has orange-copper leaves in the summer in moist wooded areas a,! Cold treated for 2 months or so rarely completely die out above-mentioned types are durable! Above a node and the top of the Northeast border and looks fantastic when alongside... British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Nevada, and mulch around the base a. However, because the fruits are an attractive feature too, Donald J. Leopold, [ ] comes in varieties. Late spring or summer, giving way to decorative red seedheads eastern America... Lime-Green coloured plants have a coral pink to rich-chocolate purple color dwarf ninebark with the shrubs surface with snowy puffs! With one larger and two smaller lobes that you are planning of a! Thin layer of compost or fine bark documented: documented it is most grown! Cultivar with purple to black foliage and white blooms spring and they are also.! Different species and several sub-species are usually white or pinkish-white flowers in late spring then. That I should mention and share your thoughts about them shrubs are not only an extremely plant!