Ninebark shrubs (Physocarpus opulifolius), native to eastern North America, are deciduous plants prized for their peeling, multi-layered bark and rugged charm. Growing 3-10 feet tall in zones 2-8, they adapt to full sun or part shade and a range of soils, from clay to sandy. Their versatility suits hedges, borders, or standalone features.
Foliage is a highlight—cultivars offer green, gold, red, or purple leaves, often shifting hues with seasons. Spring to early summer brings clusters of white or pinkish flowers, attracting bees and butterflies. The blooms fade into small, red seed capsules, adding subtle fall interest.
The bark, exfoliating in strips to reveal cinnamon to reddish tones, gives ninebarks their name and winter appeal. Leaves are lobed, serrated, and vary in size by type, while the shrub’s arching or mounded form can be shaped with pruning. It’s a textural standout year-round.
Tough and low-maintenance, ninebarks resist drought, deer, and most pests, though mildew can hit in humid climates. They thrive with minimal care—prune after flowering to control size—making them ideal for beginners or busy gardeners. Their hardiness is a boon in cold regions.
Ecologically, they support pollinators and birds, who nibble the fruit, though the seeds aren’t a major draw. Some cultivars, like ‘Diablo,’ can reseed modestly, but they’re not invasive. They pair well with natives in wildlife gardens, balancing beauty and function.
From compact dwarfs like ‘Tiny Wine’ to bold ‘Coppertina,’ ninebarks offer a cultivar for every taste. Their fast growth—up to 2 feet yearly—and colorful options have made them modern classics, echoing their historic use in Indigenous medicine and dyes.
Ninebark Shrubs
‘Diablo’ (or ‘Monlo’)
This cultivar grows 8-10 feet tall and wide, sporting deep burgundy to purple leaves that hold their color through summer, turning reddish in fall. Late spring brings clusters of white flowers with pink tinges, followed by red seed capsules. Its upright, arching form suits hedges or focal points, though it may fade to greenish-purple in intense heat.
‘Dart’s Gold’
Reaching 4-5 feet in height and spread, ‘Dart’s Gold’ dazzles with bright yellow leaves in spring, maturing to chartreuse by summer, and bronzing in fall. White flowers bloom in late spring, contrasting vividly with the foliage. Its compact, mounded shape fits smaller gardens or borders, thriving best with some afternoon shade.
‘Summer Wine’
This type stretches 5-8 feet tall and wide, with wine-red foliage that deepens in fall, paired with white-pink flowers in late spring. Its refined, arching branches create a fountain-like effect, ideal for mixed borders or screens. More compact than ‘Diablo,’ it resists mildew and keeps its color in moderate climates.
‘Little Devil’ (or ‘Donna May’)
A dwarf at 3-4 feet tall and wide, ‘Little Devil’ offers dark burgundy leaves, smaller and finer than ‘Diablo,’ with early summer white blooms. Its dense, upright habit makes it perfect for containers or small spaces, and it’s notably mildew-resistant, needing little pruning to maintain shape.
‘Amber Jubilee’ (or ‘Jefam’)
Growing 5-7 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide, ‘Amber Jubilee’ features new leaves in orange and yellow, transitioning to green, then purple in fall. White flowers appear in late spring. Its rounded, upright form works as a hedge or accent, with its multi-hued foliage adding year-round interest.
‘Center Glow’
This cultivar hits 6-8 feet tall and wide, with leaves emerging greenish-gold, maturing to deep burgundy, and white flowers blooming in late spring. Its layered color shift—yellow centers fading to red edges—makes it a standout in shrub borders. It prefers full sun for best color and tolerates pruning well.
‘Tiny Wine’
A petite 3-5 footer in height and spread, ‘Tiny Wine’ boasts bronze-maroon leaves and a bushy form, with dainty white flowers lining the stems in late spring. Its small, refined foliage suits patios or tight spaces, offering season-long color and easy care, especially in sunny spots.
‘Coppertina’ (or ‘Mindia’)
‘Coppertina’ grows 6-8 feet tall and wide, with copper-orange new leaves maturing to a rich reddish-bronze by summer, then deepening in fall. Late spring brings white flowers with a pink blush, set against its vibrant foliage. Its arching, upright form makes it a bold accent or hedge, blending ‘Diablo’s’ depth with ‘Dart’s Gold’s’ warmth.
‘Nugget’
Reaching 5-6 feet in height and spread, ‘Nugget’ features bright yellow foliage that holds its color well into summer, fading to greenish-yellow, with white blooms in late spring. Its dense, rounded habit suits borders or mass plantings, and it’s more compact than ‘Dart’s Gold,’ needing sun for peak vibrancy.
‘Fireside’
‘Fireside’ hits 5-7 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide, sporting deep red-purple leaves that emerge reddish-orange, staying vivid through fall, paired with pinkish-white flowers in late spring. Its upright, spreading form resists fading in heat, making it ideal for screens or specimens with a fiery, consistent glow.
‘Ginger Wine’
This cultivar grows 5-6 feet tall and wide, with new growth in orange-ginger tones shifting to burgundy by summer, and white flowers blooming in late spring. Its arching branches create a refined, fountain-like shape, perfect for mixed borders or standalone flair. It’s mildew-resistant and holds color well.
‘Lady in Red’ (or ‘Tuilad’)
‘Lady in Red’ reaches 4-6 feet in height and spread, with ruby-red leaves softening to burgundy, accented by pinkish-white flowers in early summer. Its compact, mounded form fits smaller gardens or low hedges, offering a softer red than ‘Diablo’ with good disease resistance.
‘Lemon Candy’
‘Lemon Candy’ stays 2-3 feet tall and wide, a dwarf with chartreuse-yellow leaves that brighten spring to fall, paired with small white flower clusters in late spring. Its tight, bushy habit excels in containers or edging, thriving in sun with minimal pruning for a cheerful, low-profile pop.
‘Festivus Gold’
Growing 3-4 feet tall and wide, ‘Festivus Gold’ offers golden-yellow foliage that glows in spring, holds through summer, and contrasts with white blooms in late spring. Its rounded, compact shape suits small spaces or mass plantings, with better cold hardiness and sun tolerance than some gold varieties.