Growing guide · Shrubs

Physocarpus opulifolius

How to grow Ninebark 'Summer Wine® Black'.

Nearly black leaves. Native roots.

Light
Full sun, part sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
3–7
Size
5–6 ft tall and wide
Spacing
5 ft apart; 3–4 ft for a hedge.
Pets
Not on the ASPCA pet-safe list; keep it out of reach
Arching shrub with fine dark burgundy-black leaves and clusters of small white flowers

Light

Full sun for the darkest leaves. In shade they fade to green-bronze.

Water

Water regularly the first season; tolerates dry spells after.

Planting and soil

Plant spring or fall at pot depth in average soil.

Feeding

Not needed in most soils.

Pruning

Blooms on old wood. Prune after flowering, removing a few of the oldest stems at the base every few years.

Through the year

Leafs out dark in spring. Flowers in June. Red seed capsules in summer. Peeling bark in winter.

If something's off

Powdery mildew in humid, crowded spots; give it air.

Plays well with

Plant it with friends.

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Coneflower 'Cheyenne Spirit'
Echinacea hybridConeflower 'Cheyenne Spirit' from $30.99

Why we stock it: A native shrub with drama, and tough enough for most yards.

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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