Coppertina ninebark

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; the strongest foliage colour develops in full sun. Light afternoon shade can help in hot climates.

Water

Moderate; water regularly while establishing. Established shrubs tolerate some drought but grow best with occasional deep watering during prolonged dry weather.

Soil

Adaptable to clay, loam and sandy soils, provided they drain reasonably well. Tolerates acidic to alkaline soil; avoid permanently waterlogged ground.

Height

6-8 ft (1.8-2.4 m)

Spread

6-8 ft (1.8-2.4 m)

Flowers

Late spring to early summer; rounded clusters of pink buds open to white or pale pink flowers.

Foliage

Lobed leaves emerge copper-orange, then mature to reddish purple or burgundy; colour is greener in shade. Deciduous.

Growth

Moderate to fast

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Deer resistant
• Drought tolerant
• Cold hardy
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Easy

Toughness

Very tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   3 ft (0.9 m)

3. After 2 years

   4 ft (1.3 m)

4. After 3 years

   6 ft (1.7 m)

5. After 5 years

   7 ft (2.1 m)

   full size

About 4 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Native to

the US and Canada

Growth rate

Fast

• Water deeply during dry spells for the first two growing seasons, allowing the soil surface to dry between waterings.
• Apply 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Allow room for its mature width so branches receive good airflow.
• Feed only if growth is weak; a light spring application of balanced fertiliser is usually enough on poor soil.
• Water at soil level rather than repeatedly wetting the foliage.

Pruning. Prune just after flowering, shortening awkward branches and removing up to one-third of the oldest stems at ground level. Remove dead or damaged wood whenever noticed; avoid routine shearing, which spoils the arching shape.

Late winter

Check the bare framework and remove dead, broken or rubbing branches.

Spring

Plant while conditions are cool and the soil is workable; water thoroughly and mulch.

Late spring

Inspect new growth for aphids and early signs of powdery mildew.

Early summer

Prune after flowering if shaping or renewal is needed.

Summer

Water young shrubs during dry spells and check that mulch is not touching the stems.

Autumn

Collect diseased fallen leaves and replenish mulch where it has thinned.

• Use in a mixed shrub border as a copper-to-burgundy foliage backdrop for pale flowers.
• Plant as an informal hedge or boundary screen, leaving room for its arching branches.
• Combine with ornamental grasses and late-flowering perennials for contrasting leaf shapes and seasonal interest.
• Place where winter light catches the peeling bark on older stems.

Garden styles it suits: English country, Modern rustic, Cottage garden, Wildlife garden, Low-maintenance and Native hedgerow.

Plant it with: Purple coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Switchgrass, Catmint, Panicle hydrangea and Siberian iris.

Wildlife: Flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees and other insects. Dense branches offer shelter for small birds, although this ornamental cultivar is not a substitute for a diverse planting of locally native shrubs.

• Powdery mildew can leave white patches or distort young leaves: improve airflow, avoid excess nitrogen and remove badly affected shoots.
• Aphids may cluster on soft new growth: wash them off with water and encourage ladybirds and other predators.
• Leaf scorch can develop during hot, dry weather: water deeply and maintain mulch; provide afternoon shade in particularly hot locations.
• Persistently wet soil can cause root decline: improve drainage or move the shrub to a better-drained position.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses. No part is grown as food, and animal-specific safety information is limited; discourage eating the leaves, bark or seed capsules.

• Diabolo ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Monlo')

  Leaves emerge deep purple rather than the distinctive copper-orange of Coppertina; it also commonly becomes a larger shrub.

• Dart's Gold ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Dart's Gold')

  Leaves emerge bright yellow and become yellow-green rather than maturing to burgundy; the shrub is generally smaller.

Ninebark refers to the older bark peeling away in numerous thin layers, while opulifolius means having leaves like those of the guelder rose, Viburnum opulus.

Propagation. Root softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer to retain the cultivar's foliage characteristics; seedlings will not reliably come true. Check local plant breeders' rights or patent restrictions before propagating.

Accepted botanical name

Physocarpus opulifolius

In the US and Canada

Native in Canada and the lower 48 states.

Native range

Alabama, Arizona, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas and Kentucky.

Measured

Soil pH 4.5 to 6.5. Average height 300 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.