PlantFiles: Purple Ninebark
Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo'

This has been our second season with 4 ninebarks and they have grown well beyond our expectations. I'm finding they make a great summer "hedge" and I'm already planning on planting more to screen an area of our house from car headlights.

Planted 2 last August in well drained, average soil in semi-shaded area. Both are doing well but have not grown much in height or width since last season. Foliage is striking and bark has a birch-like appearance. Would like a substantial increase in height and width this season as am using these as a screen between ours and neighbors properties.

Most of these I know of have suffered from either powdery mildew, or a type of fungus. Once these plant get it the new growth is deformed white and crumply. I would suggest the cultivar copertina, as this one did not show the problem.

In my ongoing quest for a big shrub to hide my turquoise shed (not planned - you see, it was meant to be the primer on the shed's way to dark green 10 years ago, somebody said they liked it, and so it's stayed that unintended color), Diablo came to the rescue. Its burgundy leaves - aren't they a pretty shape? - stand out well against the, ahem, shed. A New Dawn that was meant to be moved, and wasn't, has peaked out among Diablo's branches. New Dawn had only a few blooms and they were gorgeous among the burgundy leaves. I'm thinkin' Diablo and the rose are meant to be together. A little repositioning and better care of the rose and next year may just be spectacular.

Beautiful shrub. I live in a new subdivision (2 years) and I planted it the fall I moved in. Two have tripled in size and the third was languishing. I pulled it and discovered the area it was in was waterlogged. It hung on despite the abuse and I expect it to thrive now.

Haven't had any experience yet with Jap Beetles since the area is so new, but I hope it isn't a magnet like other dark-leaved shrubs seem to be.

All in all, I am very happy with this shrub.

A very desirable shrub, it has good form, is very hardy and does not seems to a have many pests and diseases.
Its foliage is a bronzy purple and remains so through the season. It is said to grow to 8'.

my purple ninebark seems to have whiteflies; anyone else ever have this problem? help!

Both the purple and standard green species of Ninebark seem to have no predator insects or fungi. Throughout the growing season this carefree plant provides a welcome contrast with its colorfull foliage, flowers and seed pods (see image). In winter its arching branches provide architectural interest.

growing well for me in dry mostly shaded(morning sun) clay,its under a mature maple. not much else grows there

I am coming back to update my comments to say that this plant has been seen to get borer in different sites around this area.
I have now also seen a seedling come up from off my plant.

Absolutely beautiful shrub in all seasons. The size estimates are off, however. When I purchased mine it was labeled a dwarf diabolo ninebark and is over 10 feet tall. In talking with various nurseries in my area, 10-12 feet is a more accurate height for this shrub.

I also love this plant! This is my third year with it and have one on each end of my yard to flank a fence. I trimmed a few of the "elephant" branches back after they bloomed and it looks great! Grows quickly and stays beautiful with no fuss.

This a wonderful carefree shrub - one of my favorites

This is a large shrub that should be more widely grown. It is wonderful all seasons of the year. The flower seedpods are beautiful dried (a red burgundy) and good in fall arrangements. The bark has a striated look as it ages. Leaf color is a deep burgundy. Grows quickly and does well in dry, sandy soil.

This is a beautiful shrub that doesn't seem to be too fussy. Ants are also attracted to it.