Common ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius
Common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 5–10 ft tall and 5–8 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to part. Burgundy/purple foliage cultivars dominate landscapes. Tough, fast, deer-resistant.
medium water5–10 ft tall and 5–8 ft wideDeer-resistant
Photos
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Physocarpus opulifolius
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Diabolo', 'Coppertina', 'Summer Wine', 'Little Devil'
- Type
- Shrub
- Mature size
- 5–10 ft tall and 5–8 ft wide
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- full sun to part
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.8
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom color
- white, pink
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Pollinator value
- moderate
Frequently asked questions
- Is Common ninebark good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Common ninebark is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a shrub suited to Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Common ninebark get?
- It matures to about 5–10 ft tall and 5–8 ft wide.
- How much water does Common ninebark need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- Is Common ninebark native to Colorado?
- No — it is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
