James Burghardt
Family
Rosaceae
Botanical Name
Physocarpus opulifolius 'Seward'(SUMMER WINE®) PP14821
Plant Common Name
Ninebark, Summer Wine® Ninebark
General Description
The leaf color of Summer Wine® is what sets this tough and vigorous ninebark apart from others. Its small three-lobed leaves are an alluring dark burgundy purple and contrast beautifully with its creamy pale pink flowers. The upright to mounding habit of this shrub is also more refined than that of most ninebarks. This cultivar was bred and introduced by Timothy Wood of Spring Meadow Nursery in Grand Haven, Michigan.
Ninebark is a hardy deciduous shrub with long-lasting flowers and fruits and exfoliating bark. This tough native of the eastern United States has an informal habit and slowly suckers. In the wild it exists along the fields and forest margins of uplands and lowlands.
The small maple-like lobed leaves of Summer Wine® are dark purple and turn shades of red and bronze in fall. In late spring or early summer it bears conspicuous clusters of small creamy flowers that are rosy pink in bud. The flowers are followed by small oval fruits that turn from green to red. After leaf fall its exfoliating brown bark takes center stage.
Ninebark is a durable shrub that accepts most acid to neutral soils, particularly those that are moist and fertile but well-drained. It flowers and develops its best habit in full sun but will tolerate partial sun. Over time ninebark will sucker and spread. Remove the old stems in early spring or prune it back to strong new shoots after flowering. Use this shrub to anchor a native garden or mixed border. It can also be planted in natural areas or roadsides.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
10 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
3 - 8
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Sunset Zone
A1, A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
4'-6' / 1.2m - 1.8m
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Width
4'-6' / 1.2m - 1.8m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer
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Native To
Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, Central United States, South-Central United States
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Oval/Rounded
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
Yes
