The Gardens

Physocarpus opulifolius / Ninebark

Planted in 2012
Planted a second one in 2014

I got a very large purple leaved ninebark at Warner's in mid summer 2012.  It is 'Summer Wine' which will stay more compact and smaller than the big rangy ninebarks typically are.  Pretty flowers in spring.

I put it at the back of the garden by the driveway.

8/6/12

Here is what the plant will eventually look like. This is from Jane's garden on June 7, 2011. Her 'Summer Wine' is nicely tucked in with other plants, as I hope mine will be at the back of the Drive By garden.
'Summer Wine' Ninebark in bloom in early June, next to a Spirea 'Ogon'

It becomes a rusty brown in summer, and then in fall it turns a black-purple that is very dark. This is an odd shrub that I am going to have to learn to love.

10/17/14  a dark, almost black presence int he center of this garden

In 2014 I added a dwarf yellow-leaved ninebark called 'Lemon Candy' that I got at Wayside gardens.

It should stay about 3 feet tall, and just 3 feet wide at the most.

I put 'Lemon Candy' in the driveway garden. It has bright foliage that I think will light up the middle of this long bed between the massively dark Norway maple and the darkly purple full size 'Summer Wine' ninebark.


In 2015 'Summer Wine' bloomed profusely at Memorial Day. The delicacy of the flowers against the dark leaves is striking.
5/27/15

Very nice later in fall, when the dark purple foliage takes on a redder hue.
10/29/15

6/1/17
I knew it was going to get this big, right?

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There is a great article about UConn's research on ninebarks here. Most cultivars are susceptible to deforming powdery mildew. Summer Wine is not much affected, and Lemon Candy was too new to evaluate but holds promise. I'll have to watch it and check for mildew susceptibility.