FNPS Plant Database

Physocarpus opulifolius

ninebark
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
  • Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

ninebark

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Physocarpus opulifolius

Family:

Rosaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

to 6 ft tall by to 4 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

Deciduous. Blooms in early spring.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Interesting Foliage, Interesting Bark

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen plant. It can be pruned into a hedge.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Seed

Propagation:

Seed.

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Usually moist, occasional inundation -to- Somewhat long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Loam

Soil pH:

Acidic to highly calcareous (adaptable)

Suitable to Grow In:

8A

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.



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Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators

Mining bees are known to be frequent pollinators of ninebark flowers.  Both short and long-tongued bees can access the nectar.

Native Habitats:

Seep stream (banks). Further north, it also occurs along lake edges.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

This plant is rare in Florida. It is much more common further north where it is absolutely spectacular in early spring.  

Citations:

University of Tennessee Extension Service.  Desired Ph Range and salt tolerance of common nursery plants.    https://extension.tennessee.edu/mtnpi/Documents/handouts/Fertility/Desired-pH-Range-List.pdf   accessed 2021.



Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2021. Atlas of Florida Plants ( http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu /).  Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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