Ninebark
(Physocarpus opulifolius)

Left: Appearance of Physocarpus opulifolius in the summer. (Image from The Spruce.)
Above: Physocarpus opulifolius in the ASMSA garden in Fall 2024.

Plant Characteristics

https://www.prairienursery.com/common-ninebark-physocarpus-opulifolius.html

Distribution

Habitat: rock landscapes, mesic hammocks, and streambanks

Native to Arkansas? Yes

Native to Garland County? Yes

Endemic to Arkansas? No

Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:

Ninebark grows best in full sun, with some shade in more southern areas. They can be found blooming on rocky hillsides, stream banks, and moist ground, and can prosper in most environments.

Growth Habit/Description:

Ninebark is a mounded shrub that grows to by 5-10 inches tall. It has woody stems and fibrous roots, and blooms spirea-like clusters of small flowers, ranging from pink to purple to white. These flowers are a type of "perfect flowers", that are patterns of both male and female flowers in sequence.

Bloom Season:

Ninebark blooms during May and June.

Fall and/or Winter Interest?

Yes. During winter and fall, the bark of the stems hardens when not covered by foliage and starts to peel in strips, and the leaves turn yellow and red.

Ecological Value

Host Plant for Caterpillars?

Yes! Ninebark is known to be a host plant for many moths, such as the Io moth, Glorious Habrosyne, Bluish Spring Moth, Hitched Arches moth, and the Large Maple Spanworm, and multiple bee species, such as the Mining Bees.

Other Known Ecological Value?

Ninebark also provides habitat for birds and other small animals, as well as erosion control due to its high rate of perseverance.

Other Interesting Facts

Origin of Name:

The name 'Ninebark' comes from the multiple layers of fibrous bark that peel off of the stem of the plant in the winter.

Related Plant Species:

Ninebark is part of the Rosaceae family, denoted by its 5-petaled small flowers. There are currently many cultivars sold in the nursery trade, including Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine,' 'Lemon Candy,' and 'Little Devil.'

Use For Food/Medicine:

Ninebark has no known uses in food and medicine, and is possibly toxic.

Last edited by Hartig, September 2025.

References

“Physocarpus Opulifolius.” Physocarpus Opulifolius (Atlantic Ninebark, Common Ninebark, Eastern Ninebark, Ninebark, Nine Bark) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/physocarpus-opulifolius/. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.

“Common Ninebark.” Physocarpus Opulifolius | Prairie Nursery, www.prairienursery.com/common-ninebark-physocarpus-opulifolius.html. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.