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Common Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius

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Common Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) at Ward's Nursery & Garden Center

Common Ninebark foliage

Common Ninebark foliage

(Photo courtesy of NetPS Plant Finder)

Height:  10 feet

Spread:  10 feet

Sunlight:  full sun  partial shade 

Hardiness Zone:  2a

Other Names:  Eastern Ninebark

Description:

A wide, larger sized shrub with large leaves; features masses of attractive white flowers followed by colorful reddish fruit, and interesting peeling papery bark for winter effect; extremely tough and durable, use in massing or for screening

Ornamental Features

Common Ninebark features showy cymes of white flowers at the ends of the branches from late spring to early summer. It has green deciduous foliage. The serrated lobed leaves turn an outstanding coppery-bronze in the fall. It produces red capsules from early to mid fall. The peeling tan bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.

Landscape Attributes

Common Ninebark is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a more or less rounded form. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and can be pruned at anytime. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Common Ninebark is recommended for the following landscape applications;

  • Accent
  • Mass Planting
  • Hedges/Screening
  • General Garden Use

Planting & Growing

Common Ninebark will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 10 feet. It has a low canopy, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years.

This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This species is native to parts of North America.

 
 
Hardiness Zone Plant Height Minimum Sunlight
Characteristics
Accent  Massing  Screening  Garden 
Applications
Flowers  Fruit  Fall Color  Bark 
Ornamental Features