Garden Talk: April 7, 2011 From NGA Editors Devilishly Good
Ninebark Plants with purple foliage are great for adding some
drama to the garden. And dusky-leaved cultivars of ninebark
(Physocarpus opulifolius) are some of the best choices for
adding color throughout the season and serving as accents to all
the garden's green. Ninebark is a tough, adaptable, easy care
shrub that is resistant to most pests and diseases. Native to
the eastern U.S., it is not fussy about soil and is hardy in
zones 3-7. Its only drawback is that many of the selections
offered in nurseries mature into large shrubs. Now space-
challenged gardeners can enjoy the benefits of ninebark with a
new cultivar introduced by Bailey Nurseries. Little Devil™
ninebark (Physocarpus opulifolius 'Donna May') stays a compact 3
to 4 feet tall and wide. Easy to maintain with little or no
pruning, it's a good choice for urban and low-maintenance
gardens. The deep burgundy foliage is accented in June with
pinkish-white, button-like flowers that entice butt