Ninebark, Common ninebark, Atlantic ninebark, Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Mid summer. Form: Oval.

Physocarpus opulifolius is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 2. It is in flower from June to July. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 3

Where it is found

Banks of streams.

Central and Eastern N. America - Quebec to South Carolina, west to Alabama, Arkansas and Minnesota.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 1

A tea made from the inner bark is laxative and emetic. It is used internally to treat women's complaints, gonorrhoea, TB and to enhance fertility. It is also used as a wash on scrofulous glands in the neck. Some caution is advised, this herb is best used only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. See the notes above on toxicity.

Emetic: Induces vomiting.

Infertility: Used in treating problems of human fertility.

Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.

Women's complaints: A very vague title, it deals with a miscellany of problems peculiar to the female sex.

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Foundation, Massing, Specimen. Prefers an acid soil, quickly becoming chlorotic when growing on shallow chalk. Succeeds in a moist moderately fertile soil in full sun. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to at least -25°c. There are many named varieties, selected for their ornamental value. Flowers are produced on the previous year's growth. A useful plant for rough shrubberies where plants are more or less left to look after themselves. Special Features:Attractive foliage, North American native, Blooms are very showy.

Propagating it: Seed - we do not have any information for this species but suggest sowing the seed as soon as it is ripe if possible in a cold frame. If sown in the spring it is likely to require a period of cold stratification. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division of suckers in the dormant season. Cuttings of greenwood, June in a closed frame.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 3-7

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Large medicinal doses can be toxic.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

P. stellatus. Spiraea opulifolia. Neillia opulifolia.