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Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: ninebark
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Rosaceae
Zone: 2 to 8
Native Range: Central and eastern North America
Garden Location: Martha Love Symington Missouri Native Shade Garden
Height: 5 to 8 feet
Spread: 4 to 6 feet
Bloom Time: May to June
Bloom Color: Pink, White
Bloom Description: White or pink
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Dry to medium
Maintenance: Medium
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Tolerates: Clay Soil, Dry Soil, Shallow, Rocky Soil, Drought
Uses: Erosion Control, Hedge
Culture
Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerates wide range of soil conditions. Prune as needed immediately after bloom. Plants may be cut to the ground in winter to rejuvenate.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Ninebark is an upright, spreading, somewhat coarse, deciduous, Missouri-native shrub which is closely related to genus Spiraea. It typically occurs along streams, rocky banks, gravel bars and in moist thickets, especially in counties south of the Missouri River. Grows 5-8' tall (less frequently to 10'). Noted for its exfoliating bark (on mature branches) which peels in strips to reveal several layers of reddish to light brown inner bark (hence the common name of ninebark). Bark provides winter interest, but is usually hidden by the foliage during the growing season. Features small pink or white, five-petaled flowers appearing in dense, flat, rounded, 1-2" diameter, spirea-like clusters (corymbs) in late spring. Flowers give way to drooping clusters of reddish fruit (inflated seed capsules). Ovate to rounded, usually 3-5 lobed leaves (to 4" long) are dull green in summer changing to an undistinguished yellow in fall.
Plant of Merit
This tough, thicket-forming, Missouri native deciduous shrub grows 5-8 feet tall with gracefully arching branches. Year round ornamental features include spirea-like clusters of pinkish to white flowers in spring, lobed dark green leaves in summer and inflated capsule-like fruits that mature in autumn. After leaf drop and throughout winter, the exfoliating reddish-brown bark, for which this plant is named, is best observed. Good for shrub borders, open woodland areas and naturalized areas.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems.
Garden Uses
Mass in shrub borders. Effective as hedge, screen or for erosion control on banks. Native plant garden. Able to grow in harsh conditions.