How to plant and care for Ninebark (Physocarpus)

Physocarpus opulifolius 'Diabolo'

🌸 Flower 🔁 Perennial

Rich, dark-purple leaves all season, with domed pinkish-white flowers in June and red seed heads. A tough, easy shrub for colour.

When to plant and care for it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

Prune

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

On planting day
Plant
Plant at the same depth as it was in its pot, 1.5 m apart, and firm in.
0–1 days after “Plant”
Water In Well
Give a full can of water, then keep moist for the first few weeks while roots establish.
7–14 days after “Water In Well”
Mulch Around the Base
Spread 5 cm of compost or bark around the plant, keeping it off the stems.

June
In Flower
Flowers against dark leaves.
July
Prune
After flowering, cut a few of the oldest stems to the base to keep it young and colourful.