Physocarpus (Ninebark)

Physocarpus (Ninebark) is a useful landscape shrub, with cultivars to suit most Northwest gardens. This graceful deciduous shrub is multi-stemmed, upright, and vase-shaped. Ninebark leaves are alternate and simple, with three-to-five lobes. Cultivars of this North American native plant have foliage ranging from chartreuse to purple. Clusters of reddish flower buds open to white or pink flowers in late spring and attract pollinators. In the fall, birds enjoy their small, seedy, and hairy berries. In winter, the striped peeling bark on mature branches demonstrates how Physocarpus got its common name of Ninebark.

Our native Pacific Ninebark (P. capitatus) is large and lanky, growing rapidly to 12’. In moist natural areas, it supports birds and pollinators, and its extensive root system is good for erosion control.

P. opulifolius cultivars provide outstanding color in landscape gardens. Diabolo® Ninebark (P. opulifolius 'Monlo') was the first purple Ninebark on the market. At 8’ x 8’, this shrub makes a great background plant. In the spring, clusters of white flowers provide a beautiful contrast to the dark chocolate to purple foliage. Add silver or white leafed plants nearby for additional contrast.

Coppertina (P. opulifolius 'Mindia') has spectacular copper-colored new foliage that ages to purple. It grows in a fountain shape to 8’ x 6’ and has light pink flowers. P. opulifolius ‘Center Glow’ has reddish purple leaves with golden centers that gradually turn burgundy. With white flowers, it has a graceful arching form to 8’ x 8’.

It is easier to find a place in the garden for the more compact 5’ Summer Wine (P. opulifolius 'Seward'), with orange springtime foliage transforming to burgundy (pink flowers). Even smaller at 4’ x 3’, the dwarf Little Devil (P. opulifolius 'Donna May') has rich burgundy-purple leaves with pinkish-white flowers.

Contrast purple-leafed Ninebarks with gold, chartreuse, or variegated foliage plants; or with bright hot-colored flowers or foliage, such as lilies and cannas. In a large landscape, break up too much green with a group of three to five purple Ninebarks.

Introduced to market in 2013, Amber Jubilee (P. opulifolius ’Jefam’) produces spring growth in shades of yellow and orange, contrasting with lime green foliage on mature branches. Fall foliage is red and purple, with size of 5’ x 4’. Similarly sized, with yellow to lime green foliage, both P. opulifolius ‘Dart’s Gold’ and P. opulifolius ‘Nugget’ have white flowers. Afternoon shade protects gold-leafed types from leaf burning. Pops of gold and chartreuse foliage brighten landscape areas.

Ninebarks are low maintenance plants that adapt to a range of conditions – from sun to part shade, dry to moist, acidic to alkaline, and nutrient-rich to poor soils. Prune occasionally to remove damaged branches or to shape the plant. Remove old canes during dormancy to stimulate growth of vigorous new branches with more flowers and better leaf size and color. (You may do renewal pruning biannually to restrain plant size.) Plant a new Ninebark in your landscape!

This photo shows the new growth on Coppertina. I have three of these in my lower driveway berm.

 

This is the same Coppertina in the fall. Note the dramatic change in leaf color.

 Here is our native Ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus), planted in my native plant area:

 This photo shows the golden leaves of the Nugget. It is planted in my lower driveway berm.