Growing guide · Shrubs

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May'

How to grow Ninebark 'Little Devil™'.

Native, dark, and small enough to behave.

Light
Full sun, part sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3–7
Size
3–4 ft tall and wide
Spacing
3–4 ft apart.
Pets
Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
See sizes · from $82.99
Compact rounded shrub with small reddish-purple leaves and clusters of white flowers

Light

Full sun for the darkest color. Part shade greens it up.

Water

Water weekly the first summer. After that it handles dry spells.

Planting and soil

Plant in spring or fall, crown at soil level.

Feeding

None needed.

Pruning

Prune right after flowering. Cut a few old stems to the base every few years.

Through the year

Purple leaves in spring. Flowers in May and June. Seed capsules in summer.

If something's off

Powdery mildew in shade or crowded spots; give it sun and air.

Plays well with

Plant it with friends.

Japanese Spirea Double Play® Gold
Spiraea japonicaJapanese Spirea Double Play® Gold from $62.99
Panicle Hydrangea Little Lime Punch®
Hydrangea paniculata 'SMNHPH'Panicle Hydrangea Little Lime Punch® from $89.99
Catmint 'Cat's Meow'
Nepeta × faasseniiCatmint 'Cat's Meow' from $31.99

Why we stock it: Native, tough and dark-leaved, in a size that works near the house.

Grows wild in 22 states (USDA PLANTS records). About 25 native butterfly and moth species use Physocarpus as a host (Narango et al. 2020).

That's everything we know about growing it. Thanks for reading.

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