Genus Physocarpus (Ninebark)

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Center Glow' Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Harold Pellett, the Landscape Plant Development Center

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Common Name: Ninebark

This genus of fewer than a dozen shrubs is grown for its peeling bark, attractive leaves, and cup-shaped white flowers. Some ninebarks are native to North America. Use them as a hedge or screen, in a shrub border, or in a naturalized planting.
Care: Provide full sun or partial shade and acidic, rich, moist but well-drained soil.
Propagation: Start seeds indoors in spring or fall, or take cuttings in summer.
Problems: Relatively problem-free, but leaf spots, fireblight, powdery mildew, and witches' broom sometimes occur.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Physocarpus

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Center Glow'
(Ninebark) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

This ninebark's new leaves unfurl a golden yellow and then mature to a rosy red-burgundy. Clusters of white blooms accompany the dramatic foliage in early summer, followed by bright red seedheads that fade to tan. 'Center Glow' is a fast grower and an ideal candidate for mixed borders or foundation plantings. It grows to 8 to 10 feet tall and almost as wide. In winter, the older stems have attractive peeling bark.

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Monlo'
(Diabolo® ninebark) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

Upright, arching branches and dark chocolate to purple foliage make the Diabolo® ninebark an excellent color contrast when used with silver-leaved plants or planted as a backdrop hedge. The foliage, however, has the tendency to become dark green with excessive heat or when grown in partial shade. In the summer, Diabolo® sports clusters of button-like, pinkish white flowers that fade to tawny pink yet continue to stand out wonderfully against the deep-hued leaves.

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Seward'
(Summer Wine ninebark)

(1 user review)

Hardiness Zones:

Many gardeners know ninebark as an undistinguished shrub with ordinary green leaves, white flowers, and fall fruit. But 'Seward,' sold under the trademark name Summer Wine^TM, has outstanding burgundy leaves and pink flowers that bloom in early summer. This plant is super tough and makes a stunning focal point in a summer border.

Physocarpus opulifolius ‘Nugget’
('Nugget' ninebark) Be the first to rate this plant

Hardiness Zones:

'Nugget' ninebark's best trait is probably its yellow to lime green foliage, which looks great with its exfoliating, cinnamon-colored bark. White flowers are borne in clusters along the stems in early summer, followed by dark brown seed capsules, which look good in winter. You can let it develop its typical, vase-shaped growth habit or you can shear it.