Shrub · Rosaceae family

Common ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius

Full sun to part shade in a garden 1.5–2.5 m × 1.5–2.5 m Flowers May–June to −50 °C
Flower colours Click a colour

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun to part shade
in a garden after 10 years1.5–2.5 m
in the wild up to 4 m
spacing 1.5 m
FlowersMay–June
PlantingMarch–April, October–November
Care levelModerate care

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun to part shade, in soil from dry to moist.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

acidic to neutral soil
acidicneutralalkaline
dry to moistclayloamysandy

Frost

−50 °C

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

1 m2 m3 m4 m1–4 mspread 1–4 m
1–4 m× spread 1–4 m

Plant 1.5 m apart.

The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Flowers: JanuaryFlowers: FebruaryFlowers: MarchFlowers: AprilFlowers: MayFlowers: JuneFlowers: JulyFlowers: AugustFlowers: SeptemberFlowers: OctoberFlowers: NovemberFlowers: DecemberPlanting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FlowersPlantingFeeding
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–June · white or pink

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–April, October–November

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

February

Feeding

Nutrition.

Light
balanced fertiliser
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

What you will see

White powdery coating on leaves and shoots.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • open pruning, do not plant too densely
    • rake up and remove fallen leaves
  2. By hand when presentremove affected parts
  3. Gentle spray at the first symptomspotassium bicarbonate or horticultural oil (only for heavy infestation)
  4. Chemical — only when nothing else helps as per the labelOnly if the damage is severe: a product authorised in your country against: powdery mildew.
Powdery mildewsdisease

What you will see

White powdery coating on leaves and shoots.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • open pruning, do not plant too densely
    • rake up and remove fallen leaves
  2. By hand when presentremove affected parts
  3. Gentle spray at the first symptomspotassium bicarbonate or horticultural oil (only for heavy infestation)
  4. Chemical — only when nothing else helps as per the labelOnly if the damage is severe: a product authorised in your country against: powdery mildew.
More about this problem

Fire blight

Erwinia amylovora
disease
More about this problem

What you will see

Wilting of blossom and shoots, slimy ooze, looks scorched.

How to protect

  1. By handCut out and burn infections: 30 cm into healthy wood on smaller branches, 60 cm on larger ones; disinfect tools.
Fire blightdisease

What you will see

Wilting of blossom and shoots, slimy ooze, looks scorched.

How to protect

  1. By handCut out and burn infections: 30 cm into healthy wood on smaller branches, 60 cm on larger ones; disinfect tools.
More about this problem
Sources (1)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

When does common ninebark flower?

In May–June; the flowers are white or pink.

Does common ninebark tolerate shade?

It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.

How much space does common ninebark need?

At maturity 1–4 m wide and 1–4 m tall; recommended spacing 1.5 m.

Powdery mildews — what can you do?

open pruning, do not plant too densely remove affected parts

Fire blight — what can you do?

Cut out and burn infections: 30 cm into healthy wood on smaller branches, 60 cm on larger ones; disinfect tools.

Sources (10) Checked 24 October 2026

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