Purple Ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diablo,' 'Summer Wine,' and others

Saxifragaceae (Saxifrage Family)

▲ shrub in summer

▲ post-flowering flower clusters

Location near campus:  in Xeriscape Garden (location at corner of Linwood and National, about 1 mile south of campus), on west side of entrance gate walls at Darr Agricultural Center

Physocarpus opulifolius: Purple Ninebark

leaves alternate, deciduous, simple, ovate with 3-5 somewhat pointed lobes and serrations along all the margins; 1-3" long and 1/2 as wide; shiny red-green to purplish  above and below, glabrous

stems shiny red-brown when young with angles from leaf bases.; older stems exfoliate showing red-brown, tan, yellow barks when older (hence name ninebark)

flowers white to pink in terminal clusters in mid to late spring— not too showy; flowers on previous season’s wood; fruit is a reddish, showy follicle

grows 5-10' tall and wide in upright, spreading, coarse-textured shape

grows about anywhere, sun-shade, any soil except very wet

medium to fast growth rate

green-leaved species (Ninebark) is native to Missouri

New, red-foliaged cultivars with pink flowers, such as ‘Diablo,’ ‘Summer Wine’ and others are quite attractive and provide interesting accent to the native landscape