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Brundage, Stephanie
Physocarpus opulifolius
Physocarpus opulifolius (L.) Maxim., orth. cons.
Common Ninebark, Atlantic Ninebark
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: phop
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
A 3-10 ft., mound-shaped, deciduous shrub, atlantic ninebark offers spiraea-like flowers, attractive and persistent fruit pods, arching branches, yellow fall color, and exfoliating bark.
Atlantic Ninebark is fast-growing, insect and disease resistant, and drought-tolerant.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Aggregate , Follicle
Size Notes: Up to about 10 feet tall.
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Aggregated follicles, red, brown.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , PinkBloom Time: May , Jun
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: ON , QC
Native Distribution: NY to MN & SD, s. to FL, AR & KS; an escape northeastward
Native Habitat: Stream banks; rocky hillsides; woodland edges
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist , Wet
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Clay, Loam
Conditions Comments: Common ninebark is fast-growing, insect & disease resistant, and drought-tolerant.
Benefit
Conspicuous Flowers: yesAttracts: Birds
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesSpecial Value to Honey Bees
This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Propagate by fall-sown seed or semi-hardwood cuttings with or without hormone treatment.Seed Collection: Ripe fruits can be picked from the shrub or shaken onto a drop cloth.
Seed Treatment: Seeds require no special treatment.
Commercially Avail: yes
Find Seed or Plants
View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Flowering and evergreen shrubs for landscape in Indiana
May 29, 2010
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Evergreen shrubs for Michigan
June 17, 2008
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National Wetland Indicator Status
| Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
| Status: | FAC | FACU | FACW | FACU | FACW | FACW | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Longwood Gardens - Kennett Square, PA
Bibliography
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Physocarpus opulifolius in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Physocarpus opulifolius in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Physocarpus opulifolius
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-20Research By: TWC Staff