Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May'
Common Name(s):
Ninebark
Little Devil
Synonym:
Little Devil ninebark
Flower:
Pink
Blooms :
Jun
to:
Aug
Light pink flowers with 5 petals and many stamen borne in clusterss
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
NO
Family:
Rosaceae
Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')
Foliage:
Red/Purple
Maroon-burgundy foliage. Leaves alternate, simple, oval-rounded, 7.5 -7.5 cm, usually 3-lobed, base usually cordate.
Fall Color?
YES
Leaves burgandy and get even redder in fall sometime turining orange
Deciduous
Photo by:
Heading 6
After leaves drop, bark is exposed to reveal several layers of rich, reddish to light brown inner bark thus adding architectural dimension and contrast to the landscape
Oregon Native?
NO
West State Native?
NO
Origins:
Eastern North American
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
3
Water Needs:
L
Sun Needs:
Partial Sun
Deer Resistant?
YES
Firewise?
YES
Height:
3-4'
Spread:
3-4'
Growth Rate:
Medium
Native Habitat:
Stream banks, rocky hillsides, woodland edges
Soil:
Easily grown in average, slightly acidic, dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil.
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Medium
Fertilizer:
Requires little, if needed apply a single application of balanced slow-release granular fertilizer, 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 in spring
Mulch:
Fine hardwood bark, leaf mullch. pine needles or wood chips
Supplemental watering after establishment, prune after flowering, avoid fall pruning, every few years cut back 1/3rd of older stems to the ground
Long Term:
Winter:
Mulch if not done in fall, if teperatures remain warm, water as needed
Spring:
Fertilize, apply a fresh layer of mulch, monitor water needs, selective pruning to shape
Summer:
Prune as needed immediately after bloom and no later than mid-August.
Fall:
Stop pruning, mulch, water deeply before ground freezes, clean fallen debris
General Care Comments:
Needs full sun to bring out leaf color, has low water needs, prune as needed after flowering in late spring or summer
Common Problems
Waterlogged soils
Diseases:
Fire blight, leaf spot
Insects:
Aphids, ninebark leaf beetle
Environmental Problems:
Hot, humid, stagnant air, poor drainage, stunted growth in extreme heat
Pests:
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