Summerwine Ninebark
Physoarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine'
The ninebark has purple foliage that becomes greener with more heat. In the spring it will produce pinkish-white clustered flowers that look similar to spirea blooms. These flowers then produce clusters of red fruit. Its bark peels, revealing layers of red bark underneath, adding some winter interest.
| Height | Width | Zone | Growth Rate | Water Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft. | 6 ft. | 3-8 | Medium | Low |
Leaf
Simple, elliptical and 3-5 lobes. Green and purple in the summer, red in the fall.
Fruit
Clusters of red round fruit.
Flower
Small, pink or white spirea-like blooms. 5 petals per flower. Blooms in spring.
Advantages
Adapts to many different soil types, drought tolerant.
Disadvantages
Prone to fireblight, leaf spots, and requires a medium amount of maintenance in pruning.