Plant DetailShow Menu

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine' is often confused with:
Physocarpus opulifolius Flowers
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Aronia melanocarpa Form
Salvia rosmarinus Rosmarinus officinalis
Syringa vulgaris Syringa vulgaris 'Congo'

Summer Wine Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine'

Other Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
fy-so-KAR-pus op-yoo-lih-FOH-lee-us
Description

'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.

More information on Physocarpus opulifolius.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Entryway Garden, Cabarrus County Extension Office
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small tree#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#shrub#pink flowers#red leaves#spring flowers#flowering shrub#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#small tree#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#shrub#pink flowers#red leaves#spring flowers#flowering shrub#rocky soils tolerant#clay soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Physocarpus
    Species:
    opulifolius
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Hybrid of a SE USA native
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Rounded
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Drooping clusters of reddish fruit
  • 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
  • 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.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
    Red/Burgundy
    Surface/Attachment:
    Exfoliating
    Peeling
    Bark Description:
    Exfoliating bark peels in strip revealing several under colors.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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