Species ninebark
Orange-Burgundy leaves with orange stems.

ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Ruby Spice'

Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Ruby Spice') is a deciduous shrub. Growing up to 7 feet tall and wide, this plant has a cascading habit and an arching form, making it a great choice for shaping and landscaping. Its upright habit produces shoots of deep red-purple foliage with white fragrant flowers in the spring. As its name suggests, its bark also reveals various shades of grey, tan, and brown ridges and furrows. Its tolerance of a wide range of soils and exposure to full sun or partial shade make this an ideal shrub for any garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Cutting,Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Division,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

2 - 8

Flowers:

Pink or white Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

red,burgundy,ruby

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Ruby Spice') should be watered deeply every 7-10 days during its first growing season. Water the soil until it becomes saturated, and then wait until the top 2-3 inches of soil begin to dry before watering again. Once established, the plant should be watered every 10-14 days during the growing season. During the winter months, water requirements are drastically reduced, and the plant should only be watered if the soil becomes completely dry.

sunlight

Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Ruby Spice') can thrive in full sun to part shade. For optimal flowering and growth, it should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day. If possible, give Ruby Spice ninebark the morning sunlight to help it get off to a good start and the late afternoon sun for photosynthesis. Avoid keeping it in too much shade or saturated soils, as it is not tolerant of either. Additionally, while ninebark is drought-tolerant once established, giving the plant adequate water in the summer will help keep it healthy and blooming.

pruning

Ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Ruby Spice') should generally be pruned annually in early spring, when growth starts to become visible. Pruning will encourage a thicker, healthier growth of stems, and can be done fairly aggressively. Start by removing weak stems at ground level, and then removing older stems that have grown too large or have become weedy or thin. Don't forget to remove any dead or damaged stems. You can also lightly prune the tips of newer stems to create a more bush-like appearance. Pruning is an important maintenance process to ensure that your Ninebark continues to look its best.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Ninebark typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Ninebark typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map