Ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius 'Burning Embers'
ABOUT
The Ninebark 'Burning Embers' is a visually striking plant known for its captivating foliage and overall aesthetic appeal. The plant's leaves exhibit a range of warm colors through the seasons; they emerge a rich purple-red, evolve into a bronze-maroon, and in some cases, they may turn a vibrant red in the fall, mimicking the hues of glowing coals. This transformation creates a dynamic display in the landscape as the leaves change. Adding to its charm, the Ninebark 'Burning Embers' produces clusters of pinkish-white flowers that blossom in late spring to early summer. These small flowers add a soft contrast to the bold leaf colors and are followed by reddish fruit that further enhances the plant's decorative potential. The overall shape of the plant is rounded and densely branched, lending itself to a bushy appearance with a natural, yet somewhat sculpted look. The exfoliating bark is another distinctive feature, peeling away in strips to reveal multiple layers of colors underneath, ranging from light browns to richer cinnamon, creating further visual interest, particularly in the winter months when the plant is leafless. The foliage, flowers, fruit, and exfoliating bark all contribute to the ornamental qualities of the Ninebark 'Burning Embers', making it a favored choice for gardens where year-round visual appeal is desired.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae
Synonyms
Ninebark, Eastern Ninebark, Atlantic Ninebark, Common Ninebark
Common names
Physocarpus opulifolius 'Mindia', Spiraea opulifolia.
ToxicityTo humans
The Ninebark is not commonly known to be toxic to humans. However, as with many plants, it is possible that some individuals may have sensitivity or allergic reactions to certain parts of the plant. If you suspect poisoning after consuming any part of the Ninebark plant, it is important to seek medical attention. In general, it is advisable to avoid ingesting parts of ornamental plants due to the potential for adverse effects.
To pets
Ninebark is not known to be toxic to pets. As with humans, individual pets may have different sensitivities, and ingestion of plant material can sometimes lead to gastrointestinal upset such as vomiting or diarrhea. If you notice any signs of distress in your pet after it has ingested parts of the Ninebark plant, consult a veterinarian. Generally, it's best to keep pets from eating ornamental plants to prevent any potential problems.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Purple
Flower color
Pink
Height
5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 meters)
Spread
5-6 feet (1.5-1.8 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
2-8
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Ornamental Beauty: Adds visual interest with its vibrant foliage that changes color throughout the seasons.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, ideal for gardeners of all levels.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, tolerates dry conditions, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Wildlife Attraction: Its flowers can attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing biodiversity.
- Erosion Control: The dense growth can help prevent soil erosion on slopes and banks.
- Privacy and Screening: Can be used as a hedge or screen to provide privacy in the garden or landscape.
- Adaptability: Grows in a wide range of soils and can withstand some urban pollution.
- Seasonal Interest: Offers year-round interest with flowers in spring, berries in summer, and colorful foliage in fall.
- Easy Propagation: Can be easily propagated from cuttings, making it economical to spread throughout the garden.
- Naturalization: Can be used in naturalistic plantings or to fill in large areas with robust growth.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Natural Ink or Dye - The rich, dark foliage of Ninebark 'Burning Embers' can potentially be used to make natural inks or dyes for fabric coloring.
- Photography Background - Its unique foliage can provide an attractive, dark backdrop for photography, particularly in contrast with brightly colored subjects.
- Craft Material - Dried branches and seed heads can be used in decorative crafts or as part of floral arrangements.
- Bonsai - With appropriate pruning techniques, Ninebark 'Burning Embers' can be trained into a bonsai for a miniature landscape display.
- Privacy Screening - The dense growth habit of Ninebark can be used to create living privacy screens in gardens or patios.
- Erosion Control - Ninebark shrubs, due to their strong root systems, can be planted on slopes to prevent soil erosion.
- Winter Interest - The peeling bark and interesting branch structure contribute to the winter landscape when many other plants have lost their leaves.
- Wildlife Habitat - The shrub can provide shelter and nesting sites for birds and other small wildlife within a garden ecosystem.
- Educational Tool - Ninebark 'Burning Embers' can be used in educational settings to teach about plant morphology and adaptation, given its unique features.
- Theme Gardens - It can be featured in "fire"-themed gardens due to its flame-like foliage, adding an element of conceptual design.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Ninebark is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Plant Symbolism- Resilience: The 'Burning Embers' variety of Ninebark, as suggested by its name, boasts foliage that resembles the vibrant colors of fire. This symbolizes the plant's ability to endure and bounce back, much like nature's resilience after a fire.
- Transformation: Ninebark is known for its peeling bark that reveals layers of color underneath, symbolizing transformation and change, as well as inner growth and renewal.
- Adaptability: This plant is highly adaptable to various environments, signifying flexibility and the ability to thrive under different circumstances.
WaterNinebark, specifically the 'Burning Embers' variety, should be watered deeply and thoroughly to ensure the root zone is sufficiently moistened. Water the plant when the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch, which typically means watering once a week during hot and dry periods. It's best to adjust watering frequency according to rainfall and seasonal changes, less often during cool or rainy seasons. As a guideline, use about 1 to 1.5 gallons per watering session for established plants, ensuring even moisture distribution but avoiding waterlogging.
LightNinebark, including 'Burning Embers', thrives in full sun to partial shade. For best foliage color and bloom, plant it in a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot would provide some afternoon shade in extremely hot climates to prevent leaf scorch.
TemperatureNinebark 'Burning Embers' can tolerate a wide range of temperatures and is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 7. It can withstand minimum winter temperatures down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit, and it remains robust during the summer heat. The ideal growing temperature range for this plant is between 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit to promote healthy foliage and flowering.
PruningNinebark 'Burning Embers' should be pruned to maintain shape and encourage healthy growth. The best time to prune is late winter or early spring, before new growth starts. Remove any dead or damaged branches and thin out the center to increase light and air circulation. Pruning can also stimulate a more compact form and should be done annually or as needed to control size.
CleaningAs needed
SoilNinebark 'Burning Embers' thrives in well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5 to 7. A mix containing loam, compost, and coarse sand or perlite provides the ideal structure and nutrients. Mulching helps retain moisture and maintain soil health.
RepottingNinebark 'Burning Embers' is typically grown outdoors and rarely needs repotting. If grown in containers, repot every 2-3 years or when the plant outgrows its pot.
Humidity & MistingNinebark 'Burning Embers' tolerates a wide range of humidity levels and does not require specific humidity conditions for growth.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Plant in a large container and place in bright indirect light.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-draining soil.
Hardiness zone
3-7 USDA
Life cycleCommonly known as Burning Bush, Physocarpus opulifolius 'Burning Embers' starts its life as a dormant seed, which, under the right conditions of warmth and moisture, germinates and develops into a seedling. As the seedling grows, it develops into a young plant with characteristic leaves and stems, reaching a mature bush form with arching branches. During spring, the plant produces clusters of small, pink or white flowers that attract pollinators and eventually give way to small red to brown fruit (follicles). After pollination, the seeds develop within these fruits and, once mature, are dispersed to start new plants. The bush enters dormancy during winter, with leaves often turning vibrant shades of red and orange before falling off. This perennial woody shrub can live for many years, repeating this growth cycle annually.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The Ninebark 'Burning Embers' can be propagated through softwood cuttings, which is the most popular method for this shrub. The ideal time to take softwood cuttings is in late spring to early summer, when the new growth is just beginning to harden, yet the stems are still flexible. To propagate, select a healthy stem and make a cut to obtain a length of 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters). Remove the leaves from the bottom half of the cutting and dip the cut end into a rooting hormone. Then, plant the cutting in a well-draining potting mix, ensuring that at least two sets of leaf nodes are below the surface. Keep the soil moist and provide indirect light until the cutting takes root, which typically takes a few weeks.
