Description
Height: 6′ – 10′
Sun: Full to partial
Soil: Dry to medium wet
Ninebark is found in rocky soils along edges of wetlands, but it is easily grown in more varied conditions. This clump-forming shrub has arching branches that are covered with clusters of white flowers in early summer. These attract many pollinators and produce red to brown fruits. The attractive foliage supports many species of caterpillars in summer, and in fall the leaves turn colors from yellow to purple. Peeling bark on older plants is pretty in winter. Ninebark can be used as a hedge and is tolerant of black walnuts, making it a very flexible addition to the landscape.
Pickup for woody plants in 2026 will be at the UW Arboretum the week of May 11, 2026.
Photo credit: Morton Arboretum
