Common ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius
Common ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius) is a shrub suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 5–10 ft tall and 5–8 ft wide, fast-growing, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Burgundy/purple foliage cultivars dominate landscapes. Tough, fast, deer-resistant.
On the CSU listmedium water5–10 ft tall and 5–8 ft wideZone 3 only (site it well away from structures)Deer-resistant
Photos
- Photo 1: "Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo'" by Andy Morffew is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/.
- Photo 2: Eric Hunt
- Photo 3: "Physocarpus opulifolius" by Saturne is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 4: no rights reserved
- Photo 5: "Physocarpus opulifolius, Great Falls Park, 5-14-13" by FritzFlohrReynolds is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/.
- Photo 6: "0 Physocarpus opulifolius - Samoëns" by Jean-Pol GRANDMONT is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 2–8
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam
- Soil pH
- 6.0–7.8
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zone 3 only (site it well away from structures)
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 5–10 ft tall and 5–8 ft wide
- Planting spacing
- ~8 ft apart (6 ft for a hedge/screen)
- Growth rate
- Fast
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Bloom color
- white, pink
- Fall color
- Bronze, red
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- moderate
- Deer
- Generally deer-resistant
- Colorado native
- No
Frequently asked questions
- Is Common ninebark good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Common ninebark is a well-suited shrub for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Common ninebark get?
- It matures to about 5–10 ft tall and 5–8 ft wide.
- How far apart do I plant Common ninebark?
- Space Common ninebark about 8 ft apart for a full, natural form, or about 6 ft apart for a faster hedge or screen.
- Is Common ninebark hardy on the Front Range?
- Common ninebark is hardy in USDA 2–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Common ninebark need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Common ninebark grow?
- Common ninebark is a fast-growing shrub. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- What color does Common ninebark turn in fall?
- Common ninebark turns bronze and red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Common ninebark native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Common ninebark deer-resistant?
- Common ninebark is generally considered deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof when browse pressure is high.
- Is Common ninebark a good firewise plant near the house?
- Common ninebark is suitable in defensible-space zone 3 only, site it well away from structures. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
