Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Ninebark:
- 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. 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