Shrub - Ninebark

Ninebark

Botanical Name

:

Physocarpus opulifolius

Plant Type

:

Deciduous shrub

Seasons

:

Plant in early spring; blooms in late spring to summer

Sun Level

:

Full sun to partial shade (foliage color is richest in full sun of at least 6 hours daily)

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C)

Soil Type

:

Clay, loam, or sand; tolerates a wide range of soils; dry to medium well-drained soils

Hardiness Zones

:

2–8

Germination

:

7 to 20 days after cold stratification

P.H. Level

:

Acid to alkaline soil (pH 5.0 to 8.0)

Water/Irrigation

:

Low; drought-tolerant

Fertilization

:

Use an all-purpose, slow-release fertilizer with a balanced NPK ratio, such as 10-10-10, in spring

Propagation

:

Seeds and cuttings

Final Plant Height

:

3–10 ft

Spread

:

3–8 ft

Flowers

:

Clusters of small, delicate white or pinkish flowers in late spring or early summer; five-petaled flowers appear in dense, spirea-like clusters

Attracts

:

Bees, butterflies and birds

Uses

:

Hedge plant, landscaping, container gardening, and erosion control

Companions

:

Elderberry, black-eyed Susan, coneflower, bee balm, aster, daylily, and wild bergamot

Pruning

:

In winter, cut foliage to the ground to promote growth in spring

Toxicity

:

Generally considered non-toxic but may stomach upsets in children

Pests

:

Good resistance to pests; few issues with blights or insects

Diseases

:

Good resistance to diseases; fire blight and leaf spot are possible

Fun Fact

:

Named for its unusual bark, which peels in strips to reveal several layers of reddish to light brown inner bark

Additional Info

:

It offers four-season interest; peeling bark provides year-round visual appeal

Botanical Name

:

Physocarpus opulifolius

Plant Type

:

Deciduous shrub

Seasons

:

Plant in early spring; blooms in late spring to summer

Sun Level

:

Full sun to partial shade (foliage color is richest in full sun of at least 6 hours daily)

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

65 to 75°F (18 to 24°C)

Soil Type

:

Clay, loam, or sand; tolerates a wide range of soils; dry to medium well-drained soils

Hardiness Zones

:

2–8

Germination

:

7 to 20 days after cold stratification

P.H. Level

:

Acid to alkaline soil (pH 5.0 to 8.0)

Water/Irrigation

:

Low; drought-tolerant

Fertilization

:

Use an all-purpose, slow-release fertilizer with a balanced NPK ratio, such as 10-10-10, in spring

Propagation

:

Seeds and cuttings

Final Plant Height

:

3–10 ft

Spread

:

3–8 ft

Flowers

:

Clusters of small, delicate white or pinkish flowers in late spring or early summer; five-petaled flowers appear in dense, spirea-like clusters

Attracts

:

Bees, butterflies and birds

Uses

:

Hedge plant, landscaping, container gardening, and erosion control

Companions

:

Elderberry, black-eyed Susan, coneflower, bee balm, aster, daylily, and wild bergamot

Pruning

:

In winter, cut foliage to the ground to promote growth in spring

Toxicity

:

Generally considered non-toxic but may stomach upsets in children

Pests

:

Good resistance to pests; few issues with blights or insects

Diseases

:

Good resistance to diseases; fire blight and leaf spot are possible

Fun Fact

:

Named for its unusual bark, which peels in strips to reveal several layers of reddish to light brown inner bark

Additional Info

:

It offers four-season interest; peeling bark provides year-round visual appeal

Written by Nondiah Khalayi – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nondiah-khalayi/