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Shrubs

Physocarpus bracteatus

bracted ninebark

A deciduous shrub to around 2m high, with layered, flaking bark and green leaves, toothed and divided into three rounded lobes. Dense, rounded clusters of small white flowers are borne on the previous year's growth in early summer, and followed by yellow-green seed pods

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Clay

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright, Bushy
Genus: Physocarpus are bushy deciduous suckering shrubs with palmately lobed leaves and corymbs of small cream flowers in early summer, followed by small, bladdery brown fruits
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grows best in a sunny spot in neutral to acidic, humus-rich soil. Chlorosis may occur if grown in shallow chalky soil

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by softwood cuttings in summer, or by division, removing rooted offsets in autumn or spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1 or 2. If thinning or cutting back is required, this should be done soon after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

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