Nine Bark Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Nine Bark:
- Phonetic Spelling
- fy-so-KAR-pus op-yoo-lih-FOH-lee-us
- Description
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'Summer Wine' Ninebark is a deciduous hybrid shrub that can be pruned to a small tree. It is the result of a cross between P. opulifolius ‘Nanus’ and P. opulifolius ‘Diabolo’. It typically grows up to 6 feet tall and wide, staying more compact than the specimen. If pruning, keep in mind that next year's flowers will appear on old growth. The leaves are wine red and showy during the season. In late spring, 1-2 inch clusters of small pinkish flowers appear. The bark is exfoliating and adds winter interest.
Grow this plant in average, slightly acidic, well-drained soils in full sun. It is drought tolerant once established. In the south, it may benefit from some afternoon shade. Grow as a small flowering tree, in a hedge border, on slopes, as a specimen and for winter interest.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Entryway Garden, Cabarrus County Extension Office
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Physocarpus
- Species:
- opulifolius
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Hybrid of a SE USA native
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Drooping clusters of reddish fruit
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Corymb
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Dense clusters of 5 petaled flowers in late spring
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Orbicular
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Oval to round deeply cut wine-red foliage with 3-5 lobes is up to 4 inches long. Color becomes greener in the heat of summer. Fall color is reddish.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Red/Burgundy
- Surface/Attachment:
- Exfoliating
- Peeling
- Bark Description:
- Exfoliating bark peels in strip revealing several under colors.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Lawn
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Drought
- Erosion
