Organic Eastern ninebark Seeds (Physocarpus Opulifolius)

Organic Eastern ninebark (Physocarpus Opulifolius)

Another excellent native shrub for year-round interest. Arching branches with lobed leaves give Common Ninebark a mounded look. Five petaled flowers appear in dense, spirea-like clusters in spring, and give way to a multitude of reddish-pink berry clusters.

The clusters eventually turn brown and persist into the winter. The leaves are yellow in the fall. Named for its unusual bark which peels in strips to reveal several layers of reddish to light braown inner bark, Ninebark is a popular 'winter interest' shrub. Physocarpus opulifolius makes an excellent hedge plant and provides good erosion control.

Common Ninebark has "perfect flowers" meaning that both male and female parts are contained on a single flower. The male and female flower parts develop in sequence, and the flowers themselves are self-infertile. Three plants are recommended for a reliable fruiting. Plants can be divided in the early spring, with a sharp spade, chopping right through the middle. Softwood and hardwood cuttings are easy to root.

Both short and long-tongued bees can access the flower nectar. Mining bees are known to be frequent pollinators of ninebark flowers.