Tolerant, Native, Adaptable: Common Ninebark
At this year’s Garden Fair, we’re giving away a free Common Ninebark seedling to the first 400 patrons. Learn about this plant and whether it’s a good fit for you garden.
Physocarpus opulifolious
Common name(s): Atlantic Ninebark, Common Ninebark, Eastern Ninebark, Ninebark, Nine Bark
An excellent native shrub for year-round interest, the arching branches of Common Ninebark give this shrub a full, mounded shape. Five petaled flowers appear in dense, spirea-like clusters in spring, and give way to clusters of reddish-pink capsules. The clusters eventually turn brown and persist into the winter. The leaves are yellow in the fall. Named for its unusual bark which peels in strips to reveal several layers of reddish to light brown inner bark, Ninebark is a popular 'winter interest' shrub.
Physocarpus opulifolius makes an excellent hedge plant and provides good erosion control. Both short and long-tongued bees visit this shrub for the abundant flower nectar. Mining bees are frequent pollinators of ninebark flowers. A top choice for increasing biodiversity in the landscape, Common Ninebark is known to host numerous moths, including the Io moth, Glorious Habrosyne, Bluish Spring Moth, Hitched Arches moth, and the Large Maple Spanworm, to name a few!
— Description from Prairie Nursery
Sun exposure: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Dimensions: Height: 5 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in., width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
Attributes: Heat, drought, and soil compaction tolerant. Prefers good drainage, but will tolerate occasional flooding and wet soil. Attracts birds and bees. Flowers spring, summer.
NOTE: Many cultivars of ninebark have been developed recently with a variety of leaf colors and plant sizes. These are most often seen in local nurseries. As a native plant common ninebark is more often acquired at native plant sales or native plant nurseries.
Resources
To learn more about plant characteristics, bloom information, growing conditions, and more check out this resources.
