Physocarpus opulifolius var. opulifolius (Native)

Non-native plants this species can replace:
Common Name
Ninebark
Common ninebark
Eastern ninebark
Plant Form
Shrubs & Small Trees
Duration
Perennial
Max Height (ft)
8.0
Width (ft)
4.0 - 6.0
Growth Rate
Fast
Region
Coastal
Piedmont
Mountain
Hardiness Zone
5, 6, 7, 8

My Native Garden

Put together a printable/downloadable list of plants that you have in your garden.

Photographer: t_steve_t
Licensed under: CC BY-NC 4.0
Original photo: Original photo

Photographer: t_steve_t
Licensed under: CC BY-NC 4.0
Original photo: Original photo

Photographer: t_steve_t
Licensed under: CC BY-NC 4.0
Original photo: Original photo

Habitat

Dry rocky open woodlands, barrens, cliffs, outcrops, rocky river shores and bars, riverside prairies, stream banks, fens, and seepage swamps. Frequent to common in the Virginia mountains; infrequent to locally common in the Piedmont; rare in the Coastal Plain

Wildlife value

Attracts birds and butterflies. Birds eat seed and use the the shrub for nesting and cover

Pruning Guidance
Pruning Time
Late winter to early spring
Pruning Method
Gradual renewal
Wildlife Benefits
Pruning outside nesting season protects nests
Retained flowers support pollinators
Pruning Notes
In late winter, before birds begin nesting in mid-March, remove a few of the oldest stems at the base, no more than one third of the shrub in a year. Leave the rest unpruned to keep cover for birds and this year's flowers and fruit. Because this shrub blooms on last year's wood, removing whole old stems costs only the flowers on those stems.
Flower Color
Cream/White
Pink
Flower Prominence
Conspicuous
Bloom Time
Spring
Early Summer
Bloom Month
May
June
July
Fall Color
Brown/Copper
Gold/Yellow
Light Requirements
Full sun
Partial sun
Moisture Requirements
Moist
Average
Soil Texture
Clay
High organic matter
Sandy