ninebark

Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May') should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry. This species requires regular deep watering in order to maintain healthy growth. During the warmer growing seasons it is best to water your Ninebark at least once a week, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. In the colder months, the plant will require less water so waterings should be spaced further apart. Depending on the soil quality, it is recommended that at least an inch of water be added to the soil every time it is watered.

Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May') prefers full sun to partial shade. To get optimum growth, it is best to provide 6 to 8 hours of direct sun each day. It is considered a shade-intolerant plant and can suffer from lack of sunlight, resulting in reduced flowering and foliage growth. While this plant species can tolerate some periods of shade, it should not be regularly deprived of sunshine. During spring and summer, when the days are longer and therefore more sunlight is available, move the ninebark to a location where it can get the most amount of direct sunlight.

Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May') should be pruned twice a year - once in the spring, and once in the summer. In the spring, lightly prune Ninebark to remove any dead, damaged, or diseased growth. You should also remove any spindly or crossing stems, and lightly thin out the foliage, if necessary. This will help encourage good air circulation and reduce the chances of disease and pest infestations. In the summer, around mid-August, you can prune Ninebark to shape and control the plant’s size and shape. Be sure to avoid removing more than 1-third of the total branches, as this can lead to unbalanced growth.