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common ninebark

Physocarpus opulifolius

Common ninebark is a lovely shrub that has pretty leaves and fluffy white flowers in spring. It can grow tall and is great for gardens, attracting butterflies and bees!

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The common ninebark is a medium to large shrub with distinctive peeling, shaggy bark in shades of brown and reddish-brown. It has clusters of small white to pinkish flowers and green leaves that often turn purple or bronze in fall.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyRosaceaeGenusPhysocarpus
common ninebark
Photo: Jean-Pol GRANDMONTCC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗
deciduous trait badgeflowering trait badgeornamental trait badgeshrub trait badge
common ninebark

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

6

Interesting facts

Indigenous peoples traditionally used ninebark for some medicinal purposes!

Its tough roots help prevent soil erosion on riverbanks and hillsides!

The plant’s strong branches were once used to make bows and arrow shafts!

You can find ninebark growing naturally from Canada all the way to Florida!

Special abilities

Ability

Peeling Protection

Common ninebark has bark that peels in layers, helping it shed disease and adapt to harsh weather changes to survive.

Ability

Pollinator Beacon

Its clusters of small white flowers attract various bees and other insects, helping it reproduce by spreading pollen.

Ability

Tough Root Anchor

Ninebark develops a strong root system that helps anchor soil, preventing erosion along riverbanks and slopes.

Measurements & details

Height
150-300 cm
Spread
150-300 cm
Flower Size
0.5-1 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to early summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
Mild
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always stay on paths when exploring plants and don't eat anything without asking an adult.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify common ninebark?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is common ninebark?

150-300 cm

How wide does common ninebark spread?

150-300 cm

How big are the flowers on common ninebark?

0.5-1 cm

When does common ninebark bloom?

Late spring to early summer

Is common ninebark edible?

No

Is common ninebark toxic?

Mild

What is common ninebark's lifecycle?

Perennial

Snap Map

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