Is ninebark a tree or plant?
Ninebark Ninebark is not only an extremely versatile plant; the species is also experiencing many new innovations. Traditionally a green shrub with flowers and exfoliating bark, recent releases have brought ninebark new foliage colors. Their fast growing habit and appealing winter bark make these shrubs garden favorites.
What does ninebark look like in the winter?
Ninebark flowers are almost an afterthought. While they look nice, especially on varieties with dark foliage, the white and pink blooms don't last long. In the winter, the bark is what really shines through. As the bark of the older stems age, they peel back in layers, creating an exfoliation effect.
What's new with ninebark?
Ninebark is not only an extremely versatile plant; the species is also experiencing many new innovations. Traditionally a green shrub with flowers and exfoliating bark, recent releases have brought ninebark new foliage colors.
Will ninebark grow in Zone 7?
Ninebark is very easy to grow in USDA hardiness zones 2 through 7, but it might struggle in the heat of zones 8 and 9. The low-maintenance shrub is remarkably tolerant of many growing conditions, including drought, and it is generally free of pest problems and diseases.
See more
Do ninebarks lose their leaves?
Ninebark is a perennial deciduous shrub, which means it will lose its leaves and go dormant for the winter. Hardy in USDA zones 3 to 7, Ninebark shrubs can handle the cold temperatures and will rebloom the following spring season.
Does ninebark have winter interest?
With the exfoliating bark, the ninebark provides an ornamental look to any space. You want to add this shrub to your landscape for the winter months. The reddish-brown bark gives some winter interest during those drab seasons. This Diablo ninebark is prized for its four seasons of interest.
Do you cut back ninebark for winter?
The key is to remove in late winter—at ground level with loppers or a pruning saw—any stems bigger than a broom handle. For a totally different look that highlights the exfoliating bark of ninebark, you can choose a bunch of the thickest stems to save.
Does ninebark go dormant?
After midsummer, ninebark goes into dormancy and should not be pruned, as pruning during the plant's dormancy can damage it.
What does nine bark look like in the winter?
Common Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) gets its name from the several layers of peeling (“exfoliating”) bark on mature branches that reveal reddish to light brown inner bark, particularly attractive in winter when they can be seen easily.
Is Physocarpus an evergreen?
This is an attractive evergreen shrub which provides colour and interest to the garden in autumn and winter.
Should I cut back ninebark in the fall?
It is best to prune and trim your ninebark shrub during its dormant period, after the end of fall and before the start of spring. Once the plant has stopped blooming, you can perform some light pruning to remove any stray branches.
How fast do ninebark grow?
one yearIn just one year of growth, many ninebark varieties can reach their mature size. The rapid growth of these plants can be gratifying but also a deterrent for some people, since they may get a little too big in size. Luckily, ninebarks are amenable to pruning.
Can you cut back a ninebark to the ground?
Pruning the plant just after it flowers will help to thin out the plant and encourage new growth. Older shrubs can be cut down close to the ground just before winter time. This will promote better flower and leaf production in the spring. Don't worry if you think you cut the plant down too much.
How tall does a ninebark get?
3-10 feet tallNINEBARK BASICS Upright arching or compact habit, 3-10 feet tall and 3-12 feet wide.
Does ninebark have invasive roots?
Is ninebark invasive? This fast-growing shrub usually maxes out at 3 to 4 feet wide and can be easily cultivated to suit your garden needs, deterring its spread. For this reason, many gardeners prefer ninebark to barberry bush, which is becoming invasive in many regions.
How far apart do you plant ninebark?
Grow ninebark plants purchase from a local garden center and plant from spring to early fall in a full to part sun location on a well drained, fertile soil, amended with compost. It's adapted to wet soils, but does best with good water drainage. Space plants 4 to 6 feet apart. Keep new plantings well watered.
How to grow ninebark?
There are many ways to incorporate ninebark into your landscape. Here’s how: 1 Create a naturescape, combining ninebark with other regional natives to benefit wildlife and pollinators. 2 Plant a row along a property line for privacy screening, and to define the border. 3 Use as hedging to break the landscape into individual garden rooms. 4 Plant a smaller variety in a pot and group with other containerized plants with complementary colors for a dynamic contrast. 5 Use as a background plant to set off flowering annuals and perennials. 6 Plant midway in a border in combination with other complementary shrubs, small trees and perennials. 7 Combine ninebark with milkweed, lantana, weigela, sage and tickseed to attract butterflies to your yard. 8 Use a smaller variety as edging along a pathway, as a foundation planting, or a stand-alone accent.
When do ninebarks bloom?
The common name of ninebark originates from the exfoliating bark that peels in layers when plants mature. The colorful foliage emerges in mid-spring, lasting well into fall. Clusters of pink or white flowers appear in late spring or summer, giving way to decorative red seedheads.
What is the name of the shrub that peels in layers when it matures?
For exceptional toughness, easy maintenance and four-season interest, few ornamentals can rival the appeal of ninebark. This deciduous shrub is a favorite of cold climate gardeners for its extreme hardiness and reliability. The common name of ninebark originates from the exfoliating bark that peels in layers when plants mature.
What color are burgundy leaves?
Color and characteristics: Foliage comes in shades of deep purple, burgundy, orange, green, gold and multi-hues, with many varieties exhibiting new growth that changes color as the season progresses. Oval to rounded leaves are lobed, growing up to 4 inches long.
Can you prune ninebark trees?
Since ninebark blooms on old wood, shape as needed just after flowering. Plants can be pruned back to the ground every few years to re juvenate; however, this is not necessary.
Is Ninebark poisonous to pets?
Ninebark may be toxic to humans and pets, though information is inconsistent. To be safe, contact a veterinarian, physician or poison control immediately if you think your pet or child might have ingested any part of the plant.
Where is Ninebark found?
The shrub is found naturally in abundance across the eastern United States, stretching west into the Dakotas and south to northern Florida. Northward, it extends well into Canada.
What is a ninebark?
Common ninebark ( Physocarpus opulifolius) is a versatile deciduous flowering shrub widely used in landscap ing. It gets its name from the unique exfoliating bark, which peels back in thin layers as the branches mature. Ninebark is a somewhat coarse-textured shrub that features yellow, green, or reddish leaves that form an attractive cascading mound.
What is the best zone for Ninebark?
Ninebark is typically tolerant of the various temperatures and humidity levels within its recommended hardiness zones, but it will not do well in zones 8 and above. The shrub does not like hot and humid climates, which can cause fungal diseases in the plant, such as powdery mildew.
What is the color of the nine bark?
The ninebark shrub comes in several varieties with different colored leaves, commonly purple and yellow. 'Diablo' (also known as 'Monlo') is an 8- to 10-foot-tall shrub with chocolate burgundy foliage. It flowers in late spring and is hardy in zones 3 to 7.
How tall is Ninebark?
When used in a mixed shrub border, it works well with lilac and spirea. Ninebark is available in many sizes, with a mature height ranging from 5 to 10 feet with a spread of 6 to 8 feet. There are also dwarf varieties that reach only around 3 to 4 feet in height and spread.
What is a nine bark shrub?
Many cultivars are available. It's important to give a ninebark sh rub enough space, as well as regular pruning, so its arching branch pattern can be fully appreciated.
How to propagate ninebark?
There are also other methods for propagating ninebark, such as layering which is the process of bending down one of the flexible branches so a portion is buried in the soil, with the tip of the branch is still exposed. When secured in place, the buried portion will send out roots from nodes on the branch.
What is a ninebark?
Physocarpus opulifolius, from the rose ( Rosaceae) family, is a native plant well-suited for rain gardens that provides year-round color from foliage, flowers, and bark. It is often called common ninebark and Atlantic ninebark. The common name – ninebark – refers to the winter appearance of the shrub (Figure 1), when the showy bark, ...
Where is Ninebark native to?
Ninebark is native to South Carolina and is a fast growing species that is free of serious insect and disease pests. The white or magenta (red) flowers add life to your garden (Figure 2), and are a nectar source for native bees, honey bees 4, and butterflies.
What are the native insects that live in ninebark?
Native insect species, such as the spiraea leaf beetle ( Calligrapha spiraeae ), caterpillars of the dimorphic Eulithis moth ( Eulithis molliculata ), and aphids (Aphis neil liae) 4 rely on ninebark foliage their primary food-source.
What is the name of the shrub that peels away in layers?
The common name – ninebark – refers to the winter appearance of the shrub (Figure 1), when the showy bark, consisting of reddish inner-bark framed by paper-like strips of older bark, peels away in layers; sometimes as many as 9 layers of exfoliating bark are visible.
Where does the term "physocarpus" come from?
Physocarpus comes from the Greek Physo (bladder or bellows), and carpus (fruit) refers to the bladder-shaped, swollen fruit that form after flowering. The specific epithet, opulifolius is derived from the latin opulo, meaning wealth/profusion, and folius, meaning leaves 2.
Is Ninebark a straight plant?
The straight species character of ninebark is “difficult to use in small home landscapes,” but cultivated varieties have better foliar color and more appealing aesthetics 7. Ninebark use in the landscape should be influenced by (1) desired size of mature plantings and (2) cultivar selection for mature size and foliar coloration. Ninebark is especially suited for use as a specimen, but can be grouped in border plantings within landscape beds, or used as a hedge or screen, or in open woodland and naturalized areas (Figure 4).
Is Ninebark tolerant of sun?
Ninebark is tolerant to a wide range of site conditions. Flowers are at their most colorful in full sun conditions, but color fades in shady conditions for most cultivars. However, in hotter regions (Zone 7b—8), ninebark may perform better with afternoon shade.
How tall is a ninebark shrub?
With correct ninebark shrub care, the species reaches 6 to 10 feet (2-3 m.) in height and 6 to 8 feet (2 m .) in height. Allow room for the well-branching shrub to spread out when planting in the landscape, as ninebark shrub care does not necessarily include heavy pruning.
Is Ninebark a shrub?
Most ninebark shrub info varies on climates that support growing ninebark shrubs, but most agree the Physocarpus ninebark and newer cultivars do well if planted in USDA Zones 2 through 7. ...
Do ninebarks need fertilizer?
Established ninebark shrubs are drought tolerant and can thrive with only occasional watering and limited fertilization in spring with a balanced fertilizer as part of ninebark shrub care. Pruning for shape and thinning inner branches will likely be all that is necessary to keep growing ninebark shrubs healthy and attractive.
Where Should I Start?
Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.
Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?
Learn about the Native Environment (s) inhabited by the plants in this database.
What is inner bark used for?
Native to North America. The inner bark was brewed into a pain reliever and remedy for many other maladies by Native American tribes within this plant's range. Roots were sometimes steam cooked and eaten and plants were used as charms to cause bad luck. Average Size at Maturity.
Is a sage tree a natural specimen?
It's a natural as a single specimen for sunny spots of woodland or wild gardens. Excellent choice for all native and wildlife gardens where seasonal changes and habitat are crucial. A highly colorful and versatile addition to larger landscapes. Deciduous/ Evergreen.
