Species Pacific ninebark

Pacific ninebark

Physocarpus capitatus

Pacific ninebark is a deciduous shrub native to the coasts of the United States' Pacific Northwest. It is a fast-growing evergreen trellis or screen with a maximum height of ten feet. Its leaves are green and glossy with a serrated edge. The small flowers, which bloom in whorls of four to five, are white and star-shaped. The fruits, which mature in the autumn months, are small, rounded capsules that contain numerous small, black seeds. Pacific ninebark works well as a foundation plant, in mass plantings, or as part of a natural area garden. It is drought and salt-tolerant, as well as deer resistant.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

6

Flowers:

Showy, White Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Filtered shade, Full sun, Part sun/part shade

Soil:

Acidic, Bog, Humus rich

Fruits:

purple,black Fruits In Summer Ready In Fall

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

bronze,green,red,purple

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Pacific ninebark should be watered about once or twice a week, depending on the soil and climate conditions. During the hot summer months, it may need more frequent watering in order to prevent wilting and keep the foliage looking lush and healthy. The soil should be kept moist, but not overly wet, so check it regularly with your finger to make sure the top few inches of soil is damp but not saturated. When you do water, be sure to give it evenly and thoroughly, allowing for the water to penetrate the root area. As a general rule, Pacific ninebark should be watered deeply 2-4 times each month during the growing season. When temperatures are cooler and the plant is dormant, you can reduce watering to 1-2 times a month.

sunlight

Pacific ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) prefers full sunlight in order to grow and thrive and should receive about 6-8 hours of sun each day. It can tolerate some shade, particularly in warmer climates, but will produce fewer flowers and fruit when grown in partial shade. For optimal health and growth, the plant should be located in an area that receives direct sunlight for at least half the day.

pruning

Pacific Ninebark (Physocarpus capitatus) should be pruned twice each year, once in the late winter and then again in early summer. Pruning in late winter should focus on removing dead or damaged branches and thinning out the interior of the shrub to promote air circulation and to improve the overall shape of the plant. In early summer, prune new shoots that have grown to reduce the overall size of the shrub as needed. It is important to not prune too severely as this could cause the plant to become open and undesirable. When pruning Pacific Ninebark, it is important to use sharp pruning shears to ensure that the cuts are clean and make sure to take off no more than 1-third of the growth each time.

Season

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

Harvesting of Physocarpus capitatus fruits typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Starts Flowering

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

Starts Flowering

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

Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Physocarpus capitatus fruits typically begins in late summer, usually in August or September.

Hardiness Map